On 13^th September, the 4^th International TB Forum and the International TB Seminar of the China TB Clinical Trials Consortium (CTCTC) was successfully held in Suzhou. The event was organized in concert by the Beijing Chest Hospital, the Innovation Alliance on TB Diagnosis and Treatment (IATB), the TB Clinical Center of CDC (a WHO Collaborating Center), the Fifth People’s Hospital in Suzhou.

The opening ceremony was moderated by Mr. Li Liang, Chairman of China TB Society, Chinese Medical Association, vice-director of the Beijing Chest Hospital. Opening remarks were delivered by a number of important figures including Mr. Xia Gang, vice-director of the Bureau of Disease Control, National Health Commission; Mr. Xu Shaofa, director of the Beijing Chest Hospital; Prof. Tang Shenjie, director of the MDT department at the BCH; Prof. Liu Jianjun, Chairman of the China Anti-TB Association; Mr. Chen Zhongdan, technical representative at the World Health Organization China office. International speakers included Prof. Carl Dieffenbach, director of the Division of AIDS at the NIAID, National Institute of Health (NIH); Prof. Otto Nzapf Chabikuli, director of Global Health, Population and Nutrition.

Thanks to the coincidence of the Annual RePORT International Meeting, which was also being held in Suzhou. The international forum was able to invite some 30 TB experts from 20 countries to attend. And with the main theme of ‘big data, big platform aided TB Control’, TB professionals and experts from in and out of China shared their respective ideas and experiences on the topic.

The international forum was a two-day event, during which TB experts from around the world have delivered many stimulating and insightful presentations, for instance Prof. Gavin Churchyard updated on the latest development of TB research as well as the current political commitments into eliminating TB; Prof. Ahmad Rushdy introduced about the development of a blood based TB diagnostics; Prof. Bruno Andrade presented about the latest research into TB/DM comorbidity treatment; Prof. Tang Shenjie talked about the role of MDT and its implementation in day to day clinical practice; Prof. Bi Lijun introduced the latest development of TB-specific biomarkers in China; Prof. Liu Yuhong introduced the progress of the New Drugs Introduction and Protection (NDIP) project in China.

The international forum was closed in an atmosphere of frank and warm interaction. Thanks to the event, TB experts from in and out of China were afforded with a valuable occasion when ideas and experiences can be exchanged face to face, collaboration can be struck, friendship can be forged. And all attendees were looking forward for the future editions to be of equal if not more success.