Translated by Eric Shi

2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Nursing Association. From August 19-22, the Association had held a series of events with a focus on “legacy, Innovation, Development”. Li Keqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council met with the representatives of the Chinese Nursing Association, winners of the Chinese Nursing Association Technology Award, and a segment of the representatives who were granted the Florence Nightingale Award. Chen Zhu, Minister of Health Ministry and Zhang Mao, Secretary of Party Leader Group of the Ministry attended the event. Cheng Shouzhen, winner of Chinese Nursing Association Technology Award and head of health care section of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University was cordially received by Vice Premier Li Keqiang.

On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and State Council, Vice Premier Li Keqiang extended the warm congratulations to the 100th anniversary of the Association and the winners of the Award, and paid the highest respect to 1.65 million nursing care workers nationwide who are working arduously in the nursing care sector. Shaking hands with every single representative of the nursing care workers, the premier made inquiries about their post, serving duration, experiences, and listened to the briefings of the nursing care work. He pointed out that, as the saying goes, “sanfen medical treatment and qifen nursing care”, nursing care is closely related to the health interest and the safety of the public, and an integral part of the nursing care undertakings. He also refereed to nurses and doctors as being angels in white. Over the years, a great number of nursing care workers have been carrying forward the humanitarian spirit in saving lives., disregarding one’s own safety, fulfilling their duties faithfully, and working hard at the clinical frontline. They have made extraordinary achievements on their ordinary posts and dedicated themselves to the development of health and medical care of the nation.

The Chinese Nursing Association was founded in 1909. For over a century, the Association has pooled cohorts of specialists and scholars in the field of nursing care, united nursing care workers, and promoted the research and practice of nursing care technology, making major contributions to the nursing care development of China.