Shanxi authorities vow to extend the family doctor system and boost general public health and medical care service through learning from the advanced experience of the UK.

The first Shanxi China-UK Family Doctor Forum was held in Taiyuan on July 30. More than 180 professionals and experts attended the event.

Wei Xiaochun, director of the Shanxi Health and Family Planning Commission, said the family doctor mechanism not only strengthens public healthcare, but also helps establish a hierarchical medical system. Through this forum, both sides will enhance communication and cooperation, as well as promote family doctor service in Shanxi province.

Wei noted that the province should focus on the establishment of a community health service system, improving basic health service standards and developing a hierarchical medical system.

Experts from the UK outlined community healthcare services in chronic disease management, healthcare standards and models of certification of community family physicians.

Representatives from China and the UK signed a strategic cooperation agreement during the forum providing opportunities for joint medical research, Internet health service and people-to-people exchanges.

China has been making efforts to set up a hierarchical medical system to improve community services.

Family doctors used to be regarded as a privilege for wealthy people in China. Now the country is trying to promote the model in general public communities.

China's State Council, the National Health and Family Planning Commission and four agencies issued a guideline on promoting family doctor service in June.

The contract-based family doctor scheme will be extended to more than 30 percent of people in China by next year, and will cover the entire population by 2020.