In 2019, The Lancet launched the Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay in honour of physician Wu Lien Teh, who led the fight against the plague in the 1910s and pioneered public health in China. This prize gives Chinese health workers an international platform to share their thoughts in their native language. 1 Wang HH Lau E Horton R Jiang B The Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay 2019: telling the stories of Chinese doctors.

Lancet. 2019; 394: 11

Through the prize we hope to enhance relations between doctors and patients, and to improve medical professionalism in China. With the support of Chinese partners such as Peking University People's Hospital, which was founded by Wu Lien Teh, The Lancet has successfully held the Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize for the past 2 years. The previous winning essays told the story of two generations of Chinese doctors2 Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay 2019: two generations of Chinese doctors.

Lancet. 2020; 395: 173

and a medical student's reflection on her “hidden corner” during the COVID-19 pandemic. 3 Lau E Wang HH Qiao J Jiang B Horton H Wakley–Wu Lien Teh Prize Essay 2020: passing the baton to the next generation of health workers.

Lancet. 2021; 397: 261-262

An English translation of the 2020 winning essay brought the reflections of Chinese health professionals to an international readership.