PM witnesses life-changing Cochlear moment in final China engagement
Anthony Albanese has wrapped up his lengthy state visit to China by watching young boy hear for the first time using an Australian-designed implant.
The Prime Minister's final official engagement on Thursday was a tour of Cohclear's plant in Chengdu.
Mr Albanese has touted Australia's world-leading med tech sector in the Chinese research hub, keen to carve out a big piece of the pie as demand grows on the back of China's exploding middle class.
But he has been keen to stress the human benefits to doing business throughout his time in China.
'It must be extraordinary to hear for the first time,' Mr Albanese remarked as he and fiancee Jodie Haydon were shown around the Cochlear facility.
'You are changing lives.'
The plant opened in 2020 and follows the same manufacturing process as in Australia.
Donning blue personal protective equipment, Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon ventured into a sterile space to inspect the three main Cochlear products.
They were also shown a glass-walled room where the products are assembled.
The room was 10-times more sterile than a surgical theatre.
Mr Albanese was then taken into a private space where he watched the moment a young boy's Cochlear implant was activated.
Speaking to media ahead of the tour, he said it would be an 'incredibly proud moment'.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spruiked Australian technology, including the cochlear impact, on his final official event in China. Picture: NewsWire/ Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer
'The idea that an Australian invention gives someone who has never heard the voice of their mum or dad, brother sister, never heard the sound of airconditioning, to hear sound of the river, the birds tweeting – it's amazing,' Mr Albanese told reporters.
'We should be so proud of what we're doing, and it will be an incredibly proud moment for me this afternoon as Australian Prime Minister, to be able to witness that'
He also thanked the boy's family 'who have agreed and … wanted to show the difference that it makes'.
After five days of high level meetings and sightseeing in three different cities, Mr Albanese will on Friday fly back to Australia.
Originally published as PM watches moment young boy hears for the first time during China trip
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