China makes remarkable contributions to Mozambique's public health sector: president

China is one of the countries that provides the most support to Mozambique and Chinese medical teams have made remarkable contributions to Mozambique's public health sector, Mozambican President Daniel Chapo has said.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Maputo, Mozambique on Monday, Chapo highlighted China's multifaceted support during the COVID-19 pandemic, and lauded the China-aid surgery building to be constructed in the Maputo Central Hospital, the country's largest medical facility.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, we received multifaceted support from China, including masks, disinfectants, and other supplies. Chinese doctors worked tirelessly on the front lines, fighting alongside us. China has been one of the countries providing the most support to Mozambique. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Chinese people, thank you China, thank you the Chinese government, especially thank you President Xi Jinping," said the Mozambican president.

"To answer your question, the Chinese doctors here are doing an outstanding job. We are very pleased to have them here, and they are providing significant support to Mozambique's healthcare system. We are about to begin construction on one of Africa's largest surgical centers, which will mark another milestone in the remarkable health cooperation between Mozambique and China, setting a benchmark for the region and the entire continent," he said.

Since 1976, China has sent 25 batches of medical teams to Mozambique to provide outpatient, surgical, free clinics, training and telemedicine services.

The 25th batch of the Chinese medical team, which is currently in Mozambique, has donated medical equipment and supplies to the Maputo Central Hospital to help advance local medical technology and improve treatment conditions, and also successfully provided relief to many residents with unbearable health problems.

In one typical case, a 49-year-old patient named Rodriguez suffered from leg pain that made it impossible for him to stand and he often fell when walking. After seeking medical treatment everywhere without success, he came to the Maputo Central Hospital.

"This patient had a herniated disc on both sides, which compressed the nerve roots on both sides, causing symptoms in both limbs and lower extremities," said Ma Litai, captain of the 25th batch of the Chinese medical team in Mozambique.

After finding the root cause of the disease, Ma performed surgery on Rodriguez. "I am grateful to the professional medical team in China. They performed surgery on me and my condition has improved significantly," said Rodriguez.

Eva is the head of neurosurgery at the Maputo Central Hospital, but she is also suffering from sciatica, and she sought help from the hospital's acupuncture treatment, a time-honored practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

"[Acupuncture] has been very helpful to me. I've been taking medication since I became ill, but after the first acupuncture session, I felt better. After the second session, I no longer needed painkillers," she said.

China makes remarkable contributions to Mozambique's public health sector: president

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media