Along with the increasing influence of China's gastroenterology discipline in the world and the continuous expansion of the discipline, the inaugural meeting of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology of Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association (SCIMEA) was successfully held at the International Conference Center of Chengdu Century City New International Convention and Exhibition Center on September 25, 2021 to further promote the development and enhancement of gastroenterology in Sichuan province. Secretary General Zhang Mengfan of SCIMEA, Prof. Yang Li and Prof. Yang Jinlin from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Prof. Liu Xiaogang from Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences · Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Prof. Zheng Shumei from Chinese PLA Western Theater General Hospital, Prof. Zhong Xiaolin from Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, as well as more than 300 experts and scholars from the province attended this inaugural meeting.

The scene of the inaugural meeting

The inaugural meeting of the Gastroenterology Committee was chaired by Prof. Yang Jinlin from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and firstly, Prof. Yang Li, one of the initiators of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology of SCIMEA, made a report on the preparatory work of the Committee. Prof. Yang Li reviewed the history and development of gastroenterology and the influence of China’s gastroenterology discipline on the world medical level, and used this opportunity to explain the purpose and significance of establishing this Committee: to build a platform for international medical exchange, improve scientific research capacity and medical care, integrate core medical resources, and promote the development of health and medicine in the field of gastroenterology.

Prof. Jiang Jinlin from West China Hospital, Sichuan University presides over the meeting.

Prof. Yang Lin from West China Hospital of Sichuan University delivers a report on the preparatory work.

Later, Tong Yubo, Director of Academic Conference Affairs Department of SCIMEA, organized the election of the Committee and read out the results. All participants elected the leaders at all levels of the Committee according to the election provisions in the Articles of Association of Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association. As a result, Prof. Yang Li from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, was elected as the chairman, Prof. Yang Jinlin as the chairman designate, 9 experts including Chen Zonghua and He Suyu as the vice chairmen, 41 experts including Bai Xuesong and Bao Yu as the standing members, 286 experts including Bai Yijing and Bi Pengfei as the members, and Luo Xuefeng as the secretary general.

The opening ceremony of this meeting was chaired by Prof. Wu Hao, Secretary of the Party Branch and Deputy Director of Department of Nephrology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University.

Zeng Yong, Vice President of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, said in his opening speech that the establishment of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology of SCIMEA is a response to the “Health China 2030” plan, which will help strengthen the communication with the top medical centers at home and abroad in the field of gastroenterology, carry out clinical and academic research related to digestive diseases, build a platform for academic exchange and promotion for the medical workers, promote the vigorous development of gastroenterology in Sichuan province, and advance the construction of gastroenterology discipline and the cultivation of talents.

Zeng Yong, Vice President of West China Hospital, Sichuan University delivers a opening speech.

Prof. Fan Daiming from Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Air Force Military Medical University, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivers a speech.

Prof. Li Zhaoshen from Naval Medical University, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, delivers a speech via video.

Prof. Yang Li from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Director of Sichuan University-University of Oxford Huaxi Joint Center for Gastrointestinal Cancer, delivers a speech.

Secretary General Zhang Mengfan read out the “Approval for the Establishment of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology of Sichuan International Medical Exchange & Promotion Association”, and issued the approval for the establishment and letter of appointment to the newly-elected chairman Prof. Yang Li.

Secretary General Zhang Mengfan issues the approval for the establishment and letter of appointment to the Chairman Prof. Yang Li.

Finally, Prof. Yang Li, the newly elected chairman of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology, spoke on behalf of all the members of the Committee, and once again thanked everyone for supporting the establishment of the Committee, and said that the development of the gastroenterology discipline cannot be achieved without the joint communication, cooperation and discussion of relevant experts, and that the establishment of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology of SCIMEA is to make full use of the advantages of the industry platform of SCIMEA,  and improve scientific research capacity and medical care to promote the vigorous development of health and medicine in the field of gastroenterology.

Prof. Yang Li,  Chairman of the Special Committee on Gastroenterology of SCIMEA delivers a speech.

Group photo of all members