Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with delegates attending the Ministerial Forum of the China-Africa Health Development in Beijing, Aug. 16, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Representatives from African countries and international organizations gathered in Beijing on August 16, 2013 for the Ministerial Forum on China-Africa Health Development.

For the past five decades, China has sent medical teams totaling 18,000 people to Africa and helped relieve 250 million people from pain and disease, according to President Xi Jinping.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony, saying that China plans to send 1,500 medical personnel to Africa in the next three years to perform free cataract operations.

Since 2010, China has sent experts to treat cataract patients in Yemen, Botswana, Algeria and other developing countries. So far, 1,000 free cataract operations have been carried out.

Liu said the Chinese government will also support medical cooperation with their African partners to expand accessibility to medicine.