Dr. Ronald Lam Leads Delegation to Beijing for Health Innovation and Cooperation Meetings

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations

​Upon invitation of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (BJHC), the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, led a delegation to attend working meetings with health authorities of Beijing together with representatives of the Hospital Authority. Dr Lam also attended the Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation of the2024 ChinaInternational Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), where he delivered a keynote speech, and participated in the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference.

During his meeting with the Party Committee Secretary of the BJHC, Mr Zhong Dongbo, Dr Lam reviewed the progress of key health and medical initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, including the application of innovation and technology in public health, the Department of Health's (DH) efforts in strengthening health services and interventions through a life course approach, and achievements in the digitalisation of communicable disease prevention and control measures, etc. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on standardisation of Chinese medicine and the development of maternal and child health services, agreeing to strengthen co-operation in medical innovation and technology.

Dr Lam emphasised that, "The strengths of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) healthcare system lie in its high-quality medical professionals and a comprehensive healthcare system and legal framework. Hong Kong is the only city in Asia with five world's Top 100 universities. Meanwhile, Beijing, a leader in healthcare, has the most Tier III Class A hospitals and national medical centres which rank first in the country, along with a wealth of diagnostic interventions and a diverse spectrum of specialised disease databases. Strengthening collaboration will enable both sides to join force in medical innovation research and seize opportunities for high-quality development of the nation's healthcare services by leveraging Hong Kong's unique role as a super connector, thereby contributing to the building of a healthy country which also stands tall in science and technology!"

This year's CIFTIS Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation focused on "Innovation Promotes Global Health Equity and Accessibility". In his keynote speech, Dr Lam introduced various strategies and measures the HKSAR Government is implementing to establish the city as an international medical innovation hub. He also shared the DH's public health innovation strategy, emphasising the importance of talent training, digital transformation, data management and fostering an innovative culture with a view to enhance convenience, enhance efficiency, and developing smart healthcare. This approach aligned with the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the goals set forth in the Policy Address by the HKSAR Government in pursuing a "Healthy Hong Kong".

During the visit to Beijing, the DH representatives also attended the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference and exchanged views with participants on global health management, establishment of services that promotes healthy aging, as well as innovations in artificial intelligence. The delegation also participated in the 7th Belt and Road Forum for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Development to report on TCM development. Afterwards, the delegation visited the National Cancer Centre to facilitate mutual understanding on the work and development of cancer prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation. Dr Lam also witnessed the DH and the Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, which is a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, signing a Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines that covers a period of five years.

Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, and the Principal Medial Officer (Service and Manpower Planning), Dr Anne Chee, also joined the visit. The delegation will return to Hong Kong today (September 14).

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SHYA meets with Director of Sichuan Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office

​​The Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak, today (October 15) met with the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Sichuan Provincial People's Government, Ms Zhang Tao, to exchange views on enhancing youth development and exchanges and on district governance work between Sichuan and Hong Kong. The Commissioner for Youth, Mr Eric Chan, also joined the meeting.

​Miss Mak welcomed the delegation led by Ms Zhang. Miss Mak said that Hong Kong and Sichuan have had a close relationship and much to learn from one another. To enhance Hong Kong youth's understanding of the country, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) has been actively taking forward various exchange and internship programmes. Some of them cover Sichuan (e.g. the Youth Internship Programme at Wolong Region of Giant Panda National Park under the Thematic Youth Internship Programmes to the Mainland) and receive staunch support from the Sichuan authorities, providing diversified exchange and internship opportunities for Hong Kong youth. With regard to district governance, the HKSAR Government has been striving to provide quality service and build a better community through the District Councils (DCs) and District Services and Community Care Teams, which is consistent with Sichuan's objective. Miss Mak said that HYAB had arranged a series of training and study programmes for DC members, including arranging DC members to go by batches to Zhejiang Province and Shanghai to learn about the country's principles on grassroot governance and undertake site visits to learn their experiences in undertaking grassroot governance work, so as to continuously enhance DC members' capabilities in discharging their duties; and that the work in this regard would continue in future.

​Miss Mak looks forward to deepening the cooperation on youth development and exploring mutual exchange on district governance work with Sichuan, and to contribute to the country's development needs.

SHYA meets with Director of Sichuan Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SHYA meets with Director of Sichuan Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases