In recent years, under the guidance of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm) has played a growing role in enhancing people-to-people connectivity through medical cooperation, deepening ties across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Pioneering a “going global” strategy in Vietnam

Established in Hanoi, Vietnam, VCP Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company is Sinopharm’s first overseas entity enterprise under its “going global” strategy, as well as the group’s first China-Vietnam joint venture specializing in pharmaceuticals. Rooted in the value of “All for Health, Health for All” for the past 22 years, VCP has become a leading example of China’s high-standard pharmaceutical presence overseas, contributing significantly to the building of a global community of health for all.

VCP Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Supported by Sinopharm’s entire industrial chain, VCP became Vietnam’s first WHO-GMP-certified factory producing antibiotic powder injections. It currently operates five advanced production workshops, including those for penicillin and cephalosporin powder injections.

VCP products reach over 17,000 offline pharmacies throughout Vietnam. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

In recent years, VCP has promoted a dual model of localized processing and finished product importation to bring high-quality Chinese medicine and technologies to Vietnam. The company’s footprint has extended to over 17,000 offline pharmacies nationwide, with a coverage rate of 95 percent and a market share of 25 percent. Its traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) business has seen explosive growth, with revenue rising 150 percent in 2022 and another 70 percent in 2023.

Expanding regional reach through healthcare and trade in Malaysia

A booth presenting Taiji Group’s Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Taiji Group, a subsidiary of Sinopharm, promotes the TCM industry as a vanguard in China-Malaysia economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange. Its core products, including the Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid and three other medicines, have passed Malaysia’s National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency Certification. 

Working closely with local companies, Taiji has established a nationwide sales network with over 2,000 chain pharmacies. In collaboration with associations and hospitals in Malaysia, the group has conducted free medical consultation events and adopted a model of “clinical validation + academic promotion”, conveying the warmth of a central State-owned enterprise and enhancing the recognition of Chinese pharmaceutical products among medical professionals.

In addition, Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM). Together, they will host The Health Industry Series - ASEAN alongside APHM’s annual conference from June 9 to 11.

Spanning over 5,000 square meters and featuring more than 200 leading enterprises, the exhibition will showcase China’s cutting-edge technological innovations in medical equipment, elderly care, pharmaceuticals, hospital infrastructure and manufacturing supply chains.

The exhibition will position Malaysia as a central hub and extend its reach across the ASEAN region, serving as a solid bridge for Chinese enterprises to access the Southeast Asian market while facilitating broader cooperation and development in its regional healthcare sector.

Since 2024, Sinopharm International has been deepening its palm oil trade with Malaysia, establishing a close partnership. The trade volume has reached 22,807 tons, with a transaction value exceeding $10 million. Purchase orders are placed on a weekly basis and business volume grows steadily, reflecting the increasing continuity and stability of their cooperation.

Bringing healthcare services to remote areas in Cambodia

Two custom-designed mobile clinic vehicles donated by Sinopharm International [Photo/sinopharm.com] 

In Cambodia, Sinopharm International donated 40 custom-designed mobile clinic vehicles in 2018. Each vehicle was outfitted with 22 types of medical equipment across seven departments to provide comprehensive checkup and treatment, significantly alleviating deficits in healthcare access in remote regions.

In 2024, Sinopharm International won the bid for a modern training laboratory project covering Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The project involves the supply of 17 types of laboratory equipment, including laser tachometers, analog multimeters and digital multimeters, further supporting the development of local modern training laboratories.

Doctors from Sinopharm Dongfeng General Hospital traveled over 5,000 kilometers across Cambodia to offer free medical consultation in rural areas, benefiting thousands of patients through diagnosis and treatment. Their efforts serve as a vivid testament to the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Sinopharm Hanjiang Hospital dispatches medical personnel to provide health services for workers at the Cambodian Tatay Hydropower Station. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Additionally, Sinopharm Hanjiang Hospital has dispatched medical personnel to provide health services for workers at the Cambodian Tatay Hydropower Station for four consecutive years. A 24/7 medical support system has been established to protect the well-being of both Chinese and Cambodian staff.

Medical workers from Sinopharm Hanjiang Hospital conduct an emergency medical rescue drill in Cambodia. [Photo/sinopharm.com]