Plan of Action on Cooperation Between the Deparment of Health of Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China in the Field of Health for the Period 2011-2014

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The Department of Health of Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, hereafter referred to as "the Participants".

Recalling the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Health of Canada and the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, signed in Ottawa on 13 October 1995 (the "1995 MOU"), and the Terms of Reference of the Canada-China Joint Committee on Health, signed in Beijing on 27 November 2007;

Based on the principle that cooperation and exchange activities should reflect mutual interests;

Have developed the following Plan of Action:

1. Objective

The objective of this Plan of Action is to strengthen Canada-China bilateral cooperation in the field of health by:

1. Facilitating the exchange of relevant information, including policies, guidelines, and regulations;
2. Promoting the exchange of lessons learned and best practices;
3. Encouraging cooperation between research institutions, health institutions, and health associations in both countries; and
4. Encouraging and facilitating individual contacts and networks between Canadian and Chinese health professionals, including through exchanges of scientists and other health professionals.

2. Means of Cooperation

The Participants will cooperate through:

1. The Canada-China Joint Committee on Health;
2. Policy dialogues and bilateral policy discussions in relevant meetings; and
3. Enhanced cooperation in regional and multilateral fora on issues of mutual interest.

3. Main Areas of Cooperation

The Participants will explore collaboration that includes but is not limited to the following areas:

1. Safety, quality and efficacy of medical devices; natural health products, including traditional Chinese medicines; and pharmaceuticals, including biologics;
2. Food safety;
3. Electronic health and telehealth;
4. Infectious disease prevention and control;
5. Chronic disease prevention and control;
6. Health emergency preparedness and response, including surveillance and early-warning; and
7. Health systems strengthening, planning, development and capacity-building.

4. Administrative Arrangements

The Participant sending representatives will pay international travel and in-country costs, accommodation and other incidental expenses incurred by its representatives. The sending Participant will ensure that its representatives have proper medical and emergency travel insurance, in case of accident or illness. This provision will replace paragraphs 5 and 6 of the 1995 MOU.

5. Review and Evaluation

The Participants will cooperate on an annual joint review and evaluation of collaborative activities. The Participants will present the findings and conclusions of this review and evaluation to the Canada-China Joint Committee on Health to shape discussion on any subsequent collaboration.

6. Status

This Plan of Action is not legally binding.

7. Coming into Effect and Duration

1. This Plan of Action will come into effect on the date of its signature by the Participants and will remain in effect until the 31^st day of December 2014.
2. The Participants may amend this Plan of Action in writing upon their mutual written consent.
3. This Plan of Action will supersede and replace the 2009-2011 Plan of Action on the date of its entry into effect.

Signed in duplicate at Toronto on this 27^th day of September 2011, in the English, French and Chinese languages, each version being equally valid.