Development Bureau imposes regulating action on contractor involved in fatal industrial incident at non-governmental construction site in Sau Mau Ping
A spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said today (November 3) that the contractor involved in the fatal industrial incident that happened on November 2 at a non-governmental construction site in Sau Mau Ping was on the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works.
The DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, attaches great importance to the site safety performance of all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the List, regardless of whether the sites are public works construction sites or not. The DEVB issued a notification to the contractor concerned today to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the buildings category with immediate effect pursuant to the regulating regime. The contractor concerned has to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that it has an effective safety management system before the lifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to tender exercises within the period of suspension from tendering, but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.
The Labour Department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB may impose further regulating actions on the contractor concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.
Source: AI-found images
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China
The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines.
The Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health (DH), as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHOCC), is supporting the WHO in organising the meeting, taking part in drafting selected herbal medicine monographs and contributing to related technical work.
The WHO recognises the important role of traditional medicine in healthcare systems worldwide and the need for its evidence-based integration. The development of the IHP aims to support harmonised quality standards for herbal medicines, strengthen regulatory capacity and help ensure the quality and safety of traditional medicine products. This work aligns with Strategic Objective 2 of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2025.
The Unit Head, Traditional Medicine Norms, Standards and Systems Integration Unit, Global Traditional Medicine Centre of the WHO, Dr Kim Sungchol, delivered opening remarks. He expressed the WHO's appreciation to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for its support for the meeting, and to the WHOCC for its close collaboration. He also acknowledged the important contributions of collaborating technical teams to the development of the IHP.
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, "The HKSAR was honoured to support the WHO's important work in developing the IHP. To align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to advance the inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of Chinese medicine, expand and strengthen the Chinese medicine industry and promote Chinese medicine culture, the DH will continue to steadfastly promote the development of Chinese medicine and better integrate into and serve the overall national development. The DH will fully leverage the HKSAR's expertise in developing herbal medicine standards, testing and quality control. We will work closely with the WHO and international experts to contribute to the standardisation, safety and quality of traditional herbal medicines, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of humanity."
Dr Lam also briefed participants on Hong Kong's work in developing safety and quality standards for Chinese medicines, telling good stories of Hong Kong.
Dr Lam said, "The DH has developed the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards since 2002, with 12 volumes published covering standards for 357 Chinese Materia Medica. The project has gained international recognition, with its scientific findings cited by overseas authorities and international journals. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the DH, which is equipped with advanced technology and equipment, will continue to develop Chinese Medicine testing methods and standard development capabilities and promote high-quality development of Chinese medicine in the HKSAR. Leveraging the HKSAR's unique advantages under 'one country, two systems', with strong support of the motherland and close connections with the world, Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the wider global dissemination of Chinese medicine and establish the HKSAR as a bridgehead for Chinese Medicine to go global."
The HKSAR has continued to support the WHO's work on the development of the IHP. Following the WHO meeting organised with the support of the DH in Hong Kong, China, in November 2024 to discuss the roadmap and working mechanism for the development of the IHP, this meeting marks another important occasion on which the HKSAR supports the WHO in advancing this important international initiative.
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
