Chongqing -​ On Nov. 3rd, twenty-five overseas orthopedic physicians from countries including Malaysia, Barbados, and Uzbekistan are in Chongqing for a two-week training program on advanced surgical techniques, as the municipality's smart-orthopedics capabilities continue to draw international attention.

The Belt and Road Training Program in Intelligent Orthopedic Technology & The 9th Belt and Road Chongqing Orthopedic Training Course opened at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University on Oct 26 and runs through Nov 9. Participants move from theoretical lectures to hands-on simulation training, focusing on core intelligent orthopedic technologies.

"For me, this is my third time here," said a surgeon, Dr Reuben Simmons from Barbados, who first met Chinese medical teams at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in his home country in 2016. "I love Chongqing's medical environment here."

Dr Chen Hong, the Deputy Director of the Department of Orthopedics, described the program's dual purpose: sharing knowledge. As a result, foreign surgeons can better understand what Chinese doctors are doing today and broaden their surgical skills through exchanges with countries such as Barbados and Russia. The techniques covered range from robot-assisted hip and knee replacement to minimally invasive surgery in spine, trauma, and joint procedures. "Some surgeons don't even think about using robots or minimally invasive techniques," he said. "After they see this in our country, they can go back to their homeland and use the same skills, the same way of thinking, to do surgery and care for their patients."

A second surgeon from Uzbekistan, visiting China for the first time, praised both the city and the program's organization. "Chongqing is a very amazing city. The weather, the environment and the lifestyle make me really comfortable and happy," he said. "I have to say how well the Belt and Road medical training program is organized. Chinese people are very polite and kind, and the doctors are very practical and experienced — always ready to help us at any time."

Participants said they came to gain practical knowledge of advanced minimally invasive endoscopic surgery and robotic assistance, experience they believe will benefit their future careers.

The interest reflects years of sustained effort in core orthopedic technologies in Chongqing. At the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, AI robot-assisted precision surgery and other frontier techniques are being continuously upgraded and introduced into clinical practice, enabling smaller incisions, more accurate positioning, and faster postoperative recovery in procedures such as pelvic fracture repair and artificial joint replacement.