March 26th, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Biomerieux research center in Lyon. President Xi listened to the development of Biomerieux research center.
Alain Merieux is the chairman of Biomerieux research center. Alain Merieux founded BioMerieux, a subsidiary of Institut Mérieux, in 1963. BioMerieux specializes in diagnostics that test for infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. BioMerieux currently operates in 41 countries, and employs over 7,300 people. Before France and China established diplomatic relations, Alain Merieux's father has started to promote bilateral ties and cooperation on developing automobiles between France and China, which got high praise from Chinese former leaders, such as Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping.
For decades, Biomerieux research center has been working with relevant Chinese agencies in such fields as tuberculosis prevention and treatment, infection control and emerging infectious diseases control. The two sides have been running production and research base in the Chinese metropolitan of Shanghai and a P4 biosafety lab in Wuhan city in Central China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping appreciated the contribution made by Merieux in promoting friendship and cooperation between China and France. President Xi said that China is promoting reforms in public health sector, while improving health services system is considered as one of the government's priority. China is working to build up its abilities in major contagious diseases prevention and treatment in a bid to improve the health of the Chinese people. Xi hopes Merieux could continue to help to promote bilateral health cooperation between France and China.