On April 20, Yin Yong, Mayor of Beijing, held a virtual meeting with Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the Gates Foundation).

During the meeting, Mayor Yin presented an overview of the latest socioeconomic developments in Beijing, highlighting the city’s rapid rise as an international center for scientific and technological innovation. Beijing enjoys abundant resources for scientific research in the medical and health sector, with a distinct edge in basic research and clinical applications. The medical and health industry is one of the key drivers of future industrial growth. In recent years, the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute (GHDDI), funded by the Gates Foundation and based in Beijing, achieved a series of breakthroughs in AI-enabled R&D of innovative drugs and commercialization, significantly advancing the cause of healthcare in the city and around the world. Beijing looks forward to a stronger partnership with the Gates Foundation to boost the growth of GHDDI, increase investment in the R&D of innovative drugs, and promote the commercialization of results. Wider cooperation in the areas of public health and the application of AI technology will also help improve urban management. Beijing remains committed to improving the business environment and providing comprehensive support for the development of the Gates Foundation.

Proud of GHDDI’s achievements, Bill Gates expressed his willingness to work with Beijing to accelerate GHDDI’s development and expand cooperation in fields such as medicine and health, public health, and AI.

Yu Yingjie, Vice Mayor of Beijing, and Mu Peng, Secretary General of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, attended the meeting.

(Written by Yang Qi; Video by Chen Xing, Song Hengyu)