On March 1, 2012, Mr. Zhang Lizhong, Consul General of China in Kolkata, attended the meeting commemorating Birth Centenary of Dr. Bejoy Kumar Basu, member of Indian Medical Mission to China (1938-1943), held by Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee, West Bengal and delivered remarks.

In his remarks, Mr. Zhang Lizhong praised Dr. Basu's contribution to Chinese people's anti-Japanese war, along with other four members of the medical team, by volunteering to come to China, treat the war-wounded and help training medical staffs. Among all five members of the Medical Mission, Dr. Basu served longest for around 5 years.

On his return to India, Dr. Basu established the All India Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee, dedicated himself to the cause of China-India friendship and played a unique role in the improvement of China-India relations.

Dr. Basu was the first Indian who introduced and promoted Chinese acupuncture in India. He set up Indian Acupuncture Association in 1977, which has become a national organization with more than 500 members, benifitting more and more Indian people with miraculous treatment of their diseases by Chinese acupuncture.

Mr. Zhang Lizhong briefed the audience about the healthy, steady development of China-India relationship in recent years and elaborated on the rapid bilateral economic cooperation and dynamic people-to-people exchanges, especially the visiting Chinese delegation of 500 youths in India, 65 of whom are now visiting Kolkata. He concluded his speech by urging youths of both countries, in keeping with the spirit of Indian Medical Mission to China such as Dr. Basu and Dr. Kotnis, to carry on and further promote the bilateral friendly relationship so that the flower of China-India friendship shall blossom ever more colourful.

Prof. Amalendu De, President of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee, West Bengal, Mr. Ashok Mitra, Former Minister of Finance, Government of West Bengal, and other dignitaries delivered speeches in remembrance of Dr. Basu while promising to enhance bilateral relations. A book with collection of essays commemorating Dr. Basu's birth centenary was launched at the meeting.