In 2025, President Zhang Shuyang, serving on the Rare Diseases International (RDI)-Lancet Commission on Rare Diseases, played a pivotal role in securing the adoption of the first-ever resolution on rare diseases at the World Health Assembly. She co-authored a commentary with global experts published in The Lancet, outlining the opportunities and challenges facing rare diseases and calling for concerted action to accelerate progress in the field.

Last year, Peking Union began hosting a rare diseases forum, with 10 delegations from China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), and other regions and countries participating. Two international experts have also been appointed as visiting professors at the hospital. From the Boao Forum for Asia to World Health Organization consultations, from hosting a visit from the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) to co-organizing the conference with the Hong Kong Children's Hospital, PUMCH's experts have brought a "Chinese Solution" to the global stage.

David Pearce, president of IRDiRC, said: "The clinical practice experience of PUMCH provides valuable insights for the global community, particularly for developing nations."

Members of staff at Peking Union have broadcast their intention to continue spearheading efforts to bridge the health divide, extending medical resources to more remote regions and illuminating the path forward for more families suffering under the burden of rare diseases.

Wu Xinxin contributed to this story.