Branch of Translational European-Asian Networl (TEA-NET) Established at SYSMH
On the morning of March 16, 2026, the cooperation signing ceremony and joint academic event between Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital (SYSMH) and the Translational European-Asian Network (TEA-NET) was held on the North Campus. Attendees included Li Hongzhi, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangdong Government; Professor Peter Hegyi, Member of Academia Europaea, Chair of Basic and Clinical Translational Sciences of Academia Europaea, and Executive Director of TEA-NET Europe; Professor András Varró, Member of Academia Europaea and Emeritus Professor of Szeged University; Professor Qin Ling, Foreign Member of Academia Europaea, Director of CUHK Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Research Institute, and Asian Executive Director of TEA-NET; Assistant Professor Rita Nagy from Semmelweis University in Hungary; Professor Song Erwei, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; as well as hospital leaders and representatives, gathered together to witness this important moment. The meeting was chaired by Professor Tang Yamei, Vice President of SYSMH.
Group Photo.
Yang Jianlin, Party Secretary of SYSMH, noted that as China and Hungary celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, which have been raised to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era, the prospects for cooperation between the two sides are now broader than ever. Following the signing of a framework cooperation agreement with Semmelweis University during its 190th anniversary celebrations last year and subsequent exchanges in December, SYSMH has now officially signed a scientific research cooperation agreement and inaugurated the "Branch of the TEA-NET." These milestones mark the entry of the partnership into a substantive stage and represent a significant step forward in the hospital's commitment to high-level opening-up and international exchange. As a leading research hospital, SYSMH integrates medical care, education, research, and industry, with notable success in translational medicine. The two sides will use this platform to enhance talent training, research collaboration, and clinical translation, thereby accelerating the application of research and driving new quality productive forces and high-quality medical development.
A speech was delivered by Yang Jianlin, Party Secretary of SYSMH.
Professor Peter Hegyi stated that the TEA-NET’s mission is to build a bridge connecting Europe and Asia, as well as medical institutions across the two continents. He emphasized that the collaboration is significant not only for translating theory into clinical application, but also for fostering understanding and connection among people from different cultural backgrounds. In today’s challenging context, scientific advancement and talent development are particularly crucial. Only by strengthening international cooperation, deepening medical education, and working together on multiple fronts can we jointly open a new chapter in translational medicine.
Professor Peter Hegyi gave a speech.
Professor Song Erwei shared the progress of ecological medicine research at SYSMH, using his team’s “tumor ecosystem theory” and “inflammatory ecosystem theory” as examples. He further noted that China possesses strong potential in clinical resources, research innovation, and industrial translation, and that translational medicine represents a key global trend. In this context, he expressed his hope that through collaboration between SYSMH and TEA-NET, more original research can move from the lab to the clinic, advancing translational medicine to benefit a greater number of patients.
Professor Song Erwei presented his remarks.
Mr. Li Hongzhi noted that Guangdong, a pioneer in reform and opening up, has been at the forefront of international exchanges in the country. The new branch center established by SYSMH and TEA-NET will boost the province’s research innovation and talent cultivation, supporting the Healthy Guangdong initiative. He expressed hope that both sides would seize this signing opportunity to advance translational medicine, accelerate research breakthroughs and outcome translation, and achieve even more fruitful collaboration results.
Mr. Li Hongzhi delivered a speech.
Witnessed by attending guests, President Chen Yangxin of SYSMH, along with Professor Peter Hegyi and Professor Qin Ling, signed the cooperation agreement on behalf of their parties. During the ceremony, both sides jointly unveiled the "Branch Center of the TEA-NET," marking the beginning of in-depth collaboration in translational medicine and opening a new chapter in Sino-European medical exchange.
Signing Ceremony.
Unveiling Ceremony.
At the following academic forum, Professor Peter Hegyi and Professor Qin Ling delivered presentations entitled "New Paradigms of Translational Medicine and the Construction of a Euro-Asia Collaborative Network" and "Innovative Uses of Magnesium in Orthopaedics: A Translational Science Approach," respectively, sharing their deep insights into translational medicine research with the attendees.
Professor Peter Hegyi delivered a report.
Professor Qin Ling delivered a report.
