Chinese Consul General in Houston Li Qiangmin delivers a speech at the third annual meeting of the Alliance of North American Chinese Physicians (ANACP) in Houston, Texas, the United States, Nov. 3, 2018. Common interests between China and the United States outweigh differences, and opportunities for the two countries to collaborate in health care are broad, said Chinese Consul General in Houston Li Qiangmin on Saturday. (Xinhua/Liu Liwei)

HOUSTON, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Common interests between China and the United States outweigh differences, and opportunities for the two countries to collaborate in health care are broad, said Chinese Consul General in Houston Li Qiangmin on Saturday.

Demand in China for health services has increased substantially, creating opportunities for health care collaboration, as China joins the ranks of middle-income countries, said Li during a speech at the 2018 annual meeting of the Alliance of North American Chinese Physicians (ANACP).

"China attaches great importance to health care in its people-centered development," Li said. "I believe overseas Chinese medical professionals can tap into your cultural background and achieve more in the cooperation of relevant areas."

The ANACP has committed itself to "coordinating Chinese physicians in North America, building a bridge of communications between Chinese and American physicians, and serving as a platform to help Chinese physicians improve medical skills, display talents and fulfill their dreams," said Li.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the China-U.S diplomatic relations. Li said the past four decades showed that the China-U.S. relationship cannot succeed without local cooperation. Relationship between China and Houston is one example.

"The Chinese side was impressed by Houston's strong development momentum and excellent investment environment," Li said. "I believe that more and more Chinese companies will come and invest in Houston."

Li believes that with China's commitments to its reform and opening-up, Houston will serve as a bridge and pioneer in China-U.S. exchange and in practical cooperation in energy, health care, innovation, culture and education among others.

Speaking at the event, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner praised Chinese physicians' contributions to helping build a brighter future for Huston.

"Of the doctors that we have, the Chinese doctors who are here in the city, we are proud of each and every one of them," Turner said. "We have some outstanding physicians that had happened to make the city stronger and healthier."

U.S. congressman Al Green at the ceremony awarded a certificate of special congressional recognition to the ANACP in honor of its services to Houston community.

It is the first time that the ANACP holds annual meeting with the Chinese American Neurological Association and the American Association of Chinese Rehabilitation Physicians. Members of these organizations discuss topics like stroke care and neuromuscular diseases during the three-day meeting.

The ANACP aims to support North American Chinese physicians through education and community services to achieve higher-quality patient care, better personal life and professional career.