Public health resource sharing between Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei is accelerating, with a branch of a Tianjin hospital opening in Cangzhou, Hebei province, on June 12.

The Branch of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital will offer services to residents of Cangzhou, a prefecture-level city in Hebei province, about 120 kilometers from Tianjin, with a population of more than 7 million.

With a history of more than a century, TMUCIH has developed into a large highly specialized cancer facility with integrated patient care, education, training, research and prevention facilities.

In 2013, TMUCIH was appointed as a National Clinical Research Center for Cancer by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China.

Experts from the hospital will visit the branch regularly to provide technical guidance, teach surgery and consult with patients.

"The establishment of the branch will make it possible for Cangzhou residents to enjoy diagnosis and treatment from TMUCIH without having to travel there," said Wang Ping, president of TMUCIH, adding that it would also promote equal access to public health resources in Tianjin and Hebei.

In addition, Beijing is sharing high-end public health resources with Tianjin. The same day, an air ambulance flight-test by Beijing Reignwood Star General Aviation and the Beijing 120 emergency center practiced takeoffs and landings at Jinwan Plaza, Tianjin.

In the future, Tianjin citizens who need emergency treatment can request a helicopter from the Beijing 120 emergency center, which would allow them to be in Beijing within 40 minutes.