TAUNGGYI -- A Chinese medical team on Thursday began a free cataract surgery program in Taunggyi, Myanmar's Shan State on Thursday.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Lifeline Express and Myanmar's Lay Kyun Thu Foundation, the Chinese medical team of Henan Provincial People's Hospital is conducting a five-day surgical treatment on 300 cataract patients under the very first program in the region.

Aimed at promoting China-Myanmar public healthcare cooperation, the program of Brightness Journey-2017 was launched at the Sao San Htun Hospital.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang expressed his belief that the program would bring brightness to Myanmar people who are suffering cataract and strengthen the Paukphaw (fraternal) friendship between the two countries.

"I am glad that I get a chance to undergo eye surgery with such modernized devices and I hope this program can build better friendship between the two countries," a cataract patient U Sa Htun Mat told Xinhua.

The Chinese Embassy also donated 20 million kyats (14,705 U.S. dollars) to Lay Kyun Shu Foundation as part of the program.

After the program, the medical team will continue to conduct surgical treatment to 200 cataract patient in Nay Pyi Taw.

Under the Brightness Journey program, the Chinese medical team has conducted free cataract surgical treatment on about 6, 000 patients in two years since 2015.