In a major stride toward deepening healthcare and academic cooperation between Pakistan and China, Riphah International University (RIU), China’s Shandong Tongshan Group, and the China Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA) have formally signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th May, 2026) In a major stride toward deepening healthcare and academic cooperation between Pakistan and China, Riphah International University (RIU), China’s Shandong Tongshan Group, and the China Pakistan Medical Association (CPMA) have formally signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The agreement signals a shared commitment to advancing medical education, healthcare innovation, and cross-border academic exchange, while reflecting broader efforts to strengthen bilateral ties through institutional collaboration in critical sectors such as health and science.

Under the MoU, the three organizations will establish a comprehensive framework focused on promoting academic excellence, enhancing professional collaboration, and fostering innovation in medical and health sciences.

A central component of the agreement is the reciprocal development of international campuses: RIU plans to establish a campus in China, while a Chinese university campus will be set up in Islamabad.

This model is expected to create opportunities for joint degree programs, collaborative research, and cross-cultural learning. China Shandong Tongshan Group will act as the exclusive cooperation partner in developing the campus in China, working closely with CPMA, according to a press release here.

Another transformative aspect of the partnership is the facilitation of medical tourism between the two countries, allowing patients to access advanced healthcare services while strengthening linkages between hospitals and providers. Officials say this effort will not only improve patient outcomes but also create new opportunities for institutional cooperation.

A notable feature is the establishment of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Academy at RIU, which will align with World Health Organization standards and aim to integrate traditional and modern medical practices for holistic healthcare solutions.

The MoU also prioritizes capacity-building through education, training, and joint research, designed to equip healthcare professionals with skills to meet rapidly evolving medical demands. Regular academic exchanges including faculty and student mobility, workshops, and conference will play a key role in achieving these objectives.

A significant highlight is the emphasis on medical technology and innovation, including plans to introduce advanced healthcare infrastructure in Pakistan such as a Radiation Therapy oncology center and Linear Accelerator cooperation with the FDS Consortium, China's renowned leader in neutronics will provide the state of the art KylinRay MELAC LINAC to the Riphah International University, Medical City cancer hospital which will enhance cancer treatment capabilities and modernize the country’s healthcare services" stated by Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz, head of International Cooperation FDS Consortium. 

In a related development, Prof. Dr. Yawar Hayat has been appointed as General Secretary of CPMA and will oversee implementation of the MoU’s initiatives. Additionally, a CPMA Pakistan Chapter will be established at RIU to serve as a central platform for coordinating joint activities and strengthening professional networks. The agreement also includes structured training programs, fellowships, and clinical exchange initiatives, alongside joint research in digital health and telemedicine.

Head of International Cooperation at FDS Consortium and CPMA President Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz stated that the MoU marks a new era of cooperation in healthcare, science, technology, and academia, providing better opportunities for medical education, research, training, and medical tourism. Chancellor Prof. Hassan Muhammad Khan noted that RIU aims to provide excellence in education, research, and training, adding that this MoU will initiate new cooperation with China, especially in robotics, AI, healthcare, and academia.

A Joint Coordination Committee comprising representatives from all three organizations will oversee progress, facilitate communication, and organize collaborative activities. The MoU was signed by Hassan Muhammad Khan (Chancellor, RIU), Li Xiao (Chairman, China Shandong Tongshan Group), and Dr. Muhammad Shahbaz (President, CPMA).

The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Communications Gul Asghar Khan Baghoor, who emphasized government support for business-to-business and government-to-government cooperation in healthcare.

Other participants included Li Zechun (Deputy Chairman, Tongshan Group) and senior representatives from RIU. The partnership is widely seen as a forward-looking initiative opening new avenues for cooperation in healthcare, education, and technology between Pakistan and China