Chinese medicine school provides free services for fire survivors, responders in HK

The School of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has launched a free treatment program for survivors and responders of the devastating residential building fire in November, aiming to help them recover from both physical injuries and psychological trauma.

The fire, which erupted on November 26 at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, claimed 160 lives, with six people still reported missing, according to authorities.

In response to this tragedy, communities throughout Hong Kong have mobilized their expertise to support the affected residents. The School of Chinese Medicine at CUHK has also initiated a program specifically designed to address common health issues arising from the disaster.

"The main concerns are respiratory symptoms, which are typical manifestations of external contraction. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of addressing these conditions through effective measures that help expel phlegm, moisten the lungs and relieve cough. Some affected residents have also reported sleep difficulties. In these cases, Chinese herbal medicine can be applied to calm the spirit and stabilize emotions. Furthermore, if pain management is required following diagnosis, our practitioners offer therapies such as acupuncture, bone-setting, and Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage)," said Liong Ching, head of the Clinical Division of the School of Chinese Medicine.

The program is available to affected residents and all firefighters, standing out as one of the most generous initiatives in the region, with no definitive end date in sight.

"Our goal is to help as many affected people as we can. Some, who are carrying significant psychological burdens, may require a longer period to recuperate," said Lin Zhixiu, director and professor of the School of Chinese Medicine.

Chinese medicine school provides free services for fire survivors, responders in HK

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Thursday attended the launch ceremony of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) in Haikou, the capital of south China's island province of Hainan.

China on Thursday launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, which has now become the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures.

The move is widely seen as a landmark in China's efforts to promote free trade and expand high-standard opening-up amid rising protectionism worldwide.

Under the new arrangements, the tropical island, which spans more than 30,000 square kilometers, has been designated a special customs supervision zone. This marks a new stage in the development of the Hainan FTP, which enables the freer flow of goods, capital, personnel and data, supported by zero tariffs, low tax rates and a simplified tax system.

Speaking at the launch meeting, He, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said substantial progress has been achieved in developing the Hainan FTP, and the essential conditions for its island-wide special customs operations have been met.

The island-wide special customs operations should serve as an opportunity to deepen reforms in key sectors, steadily advance high-quality development, improve the risk prevention and control system, and build the Hainan FTP into a leading gateway for China's opening-up in the new era, he said.

He also conducted on-site inspections in the free trade port to learn about cargo customs clearance procedures, the joint prevention and control mechanisms being put in place to target smuggling, and the implementation of the offshore duty-free policy.

Chinese vice premier attends launch meeting of Hainan special customs operations