Recently, the Sino-French Institute of Life Health was officially inaugurated at Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT). Qiu Xueqing, Deputy Secretary of CPC GDUT Committee and President of GDUT, Academician Yongmin Zhang, fellow of the French National Academy of Pharmacy, and other Chinese and foreign guests attended the inauguration ceremony.

Officially registered in Paris, France, the Sino-French Institute of Life Health takes GDUT as its Chinese supporting entity and is specifically constructed by the School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of GDUT. Academician Yongmin Zhang serves as the French Dean, and Professor Du Zhiyun from the School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences acts as the Chinese Dean. Guided by the mission of "Leveraging Sino-French Resources, Gathering Global Elites, Building an Innovation Platform, and Promoting Industrial Integration", the institute focuses on dermatology, aesthetic medicine, pharmaceutical biotechnology, intelligent innovation and other fields. It is committed to building a high-level international cooperation platform that integrates basic research, applied development and achievement transformation.

In his address, Qiu Xueqing stated that the establishment of the Sino-French Institute of Life Health is an important measure for the university to advance international education and enhance scientific and technological innovation capabilities. The life and health industry is a core area of China's strategic emerging industries and a key driver for implementing the Healthy China strategy. He pointed out that science and technology should have no borders, and life and health concern the fundamental well-being of humanity. The institute should fully connect international resources, uphold independent innovation while deepening international cooperation, and strive to promote discipline construction, talent training and the transformation of scientific research achievements. The university will fully support the development of the institute, integrate high-quality resources, and provide adequate guarantees in terms of manpower, financial resources and policies.

Academician Yongmin Zhang reviewed the preparation process of the institute. Since the initial cooperation proposal in 2023, the institute has been jointly promoted with the School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences of GDUT. After solid work in multiple stages including the Sino-French Biomedical and Health Industry Exchange Conference, transnational high-level seminars and academic journal publications, the institute was officially registered in Paris, France on March 20, 2026, with its headquarters located in Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine, France. He emphasized that the institute will directly connect with top European research institutions such as Sorbonne University and leading enterprises, focusing on promoting the application of bilateral joint projects, the production of high-level international academic achievements, and the transformation and landing of cutting-edge technologies in China.

Qiu Xueqing, Yongmin Zhang, Du Zhiyun, together with heads from the Office of Scientific Research, Human Resources Department, International Office, and enterprise representatives, attended inauguration.