Volunteers are seen outside the venue of the Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, June 11, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

QINGDAO, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Global Health Forum of Boao Forum for Asia opened in the eastern city of Qingdao Tuesday.

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan read a congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping.

Sun said the letter expounded the fundamental role of universal health in global health undertakings and put forward the initiative of promoting international cooperation in the field of health.

She said the letter boosted confidence and motivation in deepening exchanges and advancing health wellbeing for the entire humankind.

Sun, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China will strengthen cooperation with various countries to build a platform for global health governance and promote health wellbeing of people in the world.

Sun mentioned China's efforts in deepening medical and healthcare system reform and its achievements in inheriting and developing the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Sun also visited community medical institutions in Qingdao, and stressed the role of the TCM in medical services at grassroots level.  Enditem