Before the National Day, Department of Ultrasound Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi 'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) conducted online academic exchanges with Department of Radiology from Ain Shams University Hospital in Egypt. Professor Ruan Litao and Associate Professor Song Yan from Department of Ultrasound Medicine of our hospital held a 2-h video meeting with Professor Karim, Director of Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society. Based on the Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society and Ain Shams University Hospital as the platforms, bilateral sides expected to promote ultrasound-guided diagnosis, FNA and minimally invasive ablation treatment of thyroid diseases in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. Professor Karim introduced the profile of Ain Shams University Hospital, equipment, staff and imaging diagnostic technology of Department of Radiology. Professor Karim is the founder and director of Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society. He showed extensive interest in standardized diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules, TI-RADS classification, FNA of thyroid gland and radiofrequency ablation, looking forward to academic exchanges among the friendship hospitals between two countries.

Director Ruan Litao shared the characteristic and advantageous projects and achievements carried out by Department of Ultrasound Medicine and Department of Medical Imaging in recent years. He stressed that Department of Ultrasound Medicine of our hospital is committed to the fine diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules, taking the lead in performing ultrasound-guided FNA of thyroid nodules and ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of thyroid nodules in northwest China since 2017. With intimate cooperation with Department of Pathology and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Ultrasound Medicine integrated multi-modality ultrasound (two-dimensional, color Doppler, elasticity and contrast-enhanced ultrasound), FNA, Tg detection of lymph node puncture fluid, gene sequencing and other technologies to advance the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid nodules and the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis into leading levels at home and abroad. The number of puncture biopsy ranks among the leading positions in China. He expected to hold a series of online seminars with Professor Karim from Department of Radiology of Ain Shams University Hospital for experience sharing and academic exchanges. Besides, he warmly welcomed Professor Karim's team to visit our hospital and jointly promote medical and scientific research progress between two hospitals.

Under the guidance of "Belt and Road Initiative", Department of Ultrasound Medicine of our hospital will further strengthen academic exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa, aiming to make contributions to Sino-Egypt friendship and development.