SK Group, its subordinate SK Hynix and IRCAD France sign a memorandum of understanding to jointly establish and develop a simulation-based research and training center in Wuxi, Jiangsu province on Dec 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

SK Group, its subordinate SK Hynix and IRCAD France expanded their common fields to jointly establish and develop a simulation-based research and training center in Wuxi, Jiangsu province on Dec 10, with dedication to the field of minimal invasive therapeutics.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was nailed down merely three months after the South Korea-based top conglomerate and the world-leading research and education institute decided to join hands this September. The two sides have felt favorably disposed towards each other since then.

Jacques Marescaux, president of IRCAD, said at the signing ceremony that he was impressed by the SK delegation paying a visit to the IRCAD headquarter in Strasbourg in northeastern France, and that the group's overall strength will add brilliance to IRCAD's splendor.

Wuxi, where the research and training center will be housed in the near future, has also attracted the French company with its vigor and diversified digital access.

"It will offer much support and development possibilities to the center," Marescaux said.

The East China city was also chosen for its sound connection with SK, whose semiconductor branch Hynix has been well settled in Wuxi's eastern outskirts since 2005. SK's Chinese sales headquarters were launched in the city in September.

Liu Xia (R), vice mayor of Wuxi, talks with Garth Moon, vice president of SK SUPEX Council, SK Group. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The MOU says the new center will start construction in 2019 and be put into operation in 2021. Upon completion, the center will use its European counterpart as a structural blueprint, making it possible for Chinese surgeons – without going abroad – to get familiar with laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery and develop high-level skills through training by a team of 800 international experts.

The center will be located inside the SK Hynix Hospital, a high-end comprehensive medical establishment initiated in April with a first-phase capacity of 700 beds.

Liu Xia, vice mayor of Wuxi, gave thumbs-up to the hospital as it meets the development need of the local medical and health service industry, both geographically and strategically.

"The city's southeast corner is rising as a new talent hub, along with its surging demand for medical capacity, while the Wuxi government is also calling for the local health care industry to be equipped with more high-level and international capabilities," Liu said.

Garth Moon, vice president of SK SUPEX Council, SK Group, agreed with Liu's ideas.

"We treasure people's lives and put people first; setting up hospitals is our way to give back to society," Moon said.