Zhi Shuping presents plaque to Zhangjiagang, 1st International Health Port

AQSIQ Vice Minister Zhi Shuping and Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province Zhang Weiguo jointly presented the plaque of 1st International Health Port to Zhangjiagang Port at the plaque-awarding ceremony held in Nanjing recently. It is a systematic project for a port to enhance its core competencies in public health practices and develop in line with the requirements on international health port. According to the International Health Regulations (2005), the World Health Organization(WHO) may carry out assessment on the core competencies of international ports open to navigation in such aspects as the response to public health emergencies, and the control of the international spread of disease, and those proved compliance with related conditions and requirements will be approved as International Health Port. At the beginning of 2004, Zhangjiagang officially launched the initiatives of developing itself into an international health port. For over three years, all organizations involved had carried out monitoring, supervision and administration in the light of related laws and standards, and positively introduced high and new technologies to strengthen public health capabilities as required. As a result, it attained remarkable progress in related aspects, including environmental protection, and safety and health conditions. Zhangjiagang City satisfied on-the-spot assessment held by WHO in April this year, and was certified as the 1st international health port by WHO and AQSIQ. Zhi extended his congratulations for the progress Zhangjiagang achieved and his appreciation for the great efforts made by all organizations and people that participated in the initiatives. According to Zhi, the local inspection and quarantine authorities need to establish a long-term and effective mechanism and take effective measures to build on the progress, so as to provide more experience for other ports in the country and the world. Officials from Zhangjiagang People's Municipal Government said that the government will dedicate to developing the port city into one with great capabilities for cargo handling at the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.