From 13^rd to 18^th May, 2024, as invited by Prof. Fana Hagos, president of Mekelle University, Dr Yaozhong Ding with four other delegation members Prof. JIjun He, vice Prof. Shuanghui Yin, Dr Weimin Ma and Dr Wen Dang, paid a visit to Mekelle University for carrying out the ‘China-Africa partner institution exchange project’ supported by Ministry of Science and Technology.

During the visit, both side accurately introduced and discussed the implementation status of the "Establishment of International Joint Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Major Animal Disease between LVRI, CAAS and Mekelle University, Ethiopia as China-Africa Partner Institution Exchange Project". The researchers and representatives from both side introduced in detail on the training of personnel, sharing of research and scientific achievements and gaining of experiences, methods as well as major countermeasures in prevention and control of major animal diseases. The delegation members of LVRI group exchanged views with Mekelle University on the implementation of the project and further cooperation, especially focused on the areas of sharing epidemiological data on major animal disease epidemics, detection technologies, and R & D of new vaccines.

This visit aimed at implementing build-up of China-Africa community with a shared future proposed by President Xi at “Forum on China-Africa Cooperation” and started at meeting the requirements for national strategy and national bio-safety. This would lay solid foundation for future academic cooperation in the field of prevention and control of major animal diseases in both side.