"We saw the tireless efforts that the Zhejiang government made in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic and developing the social economy, and we can feel the province's passion for developing the healthcare industry," said Luo Yongqing, vice-president of the global leading bio-pharmaceutical company Gilead and general manager of Gilead China, at the 22nd China Zhejiang Investment and Trade Symposium, which opened online in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on June 9.

Gilead is best known for announcing on April 29 that its new drug Remdesivir has been shown to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients.

Luo commended the Zhejiang government's efficiency in serving the people and its principle of putting the people first.

"It's amazing that new drugs can hit the Chinese market at the same time they are released in overseas countries," said Luo, adding that the company has introduced eight innovative drugs in China since 2016, four of which have been included in China's 2019 National Drug Reimbursement List.

Luo said he was especially impressed that the company's first drug introduced to China in 2017 was included in Zhejiang's serious illness insurance coverage list within three months after it entered the Chinese market. 

"The epidemic raised people's awareness of the importance of health to economic and social development," said Luo. "We believe we will have more opportunities to help the Chinese government protect people's health by using advanced technology."