Hong Kong Hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to Drive Global Expansion and Modernisation of Traditional Practices

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (January 8) hosted the Chinese Medicine Forum, bringing together leaders from government, academia and industry for comprehensive discussions on research translations, clinical practices and standards development. The forum showcased Hong Kong's strengths in driving Chinese medicine (CM) enterprises' global expansion, attracting the participation of over 150 industry stakeholders.

With the launch of the Government's first Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint and the opening of Hong Kong's first Chinese medicine hospital, the industry's focus on modernisation and international development of CM continues to grow. InvestHK hosted the forum to spark discussions on CM and actively attract and support CM enterprises to develop in Hong Kong, through providing one-stop support services to assist companies' expansion to overseas markets, achieve international certifications, and establish regional headquarters.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "As highlighted in the 2025 Policy Address, the Government is committed to advancing the development of CM. Hong Kong's advantages lie in its ability to leverage the Chinese Mainland's robust CM capabilities while possessing internationalised systems and standards. With the advantages of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong is committed to becoming the 'super platform' linking CM enterprises between the Chinese Mainland and the world. InvestHK will assist the industry in accessing global capital and markets, positioning Hong Kong as a springboard for CM to go global."

The Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint covers service enhancements, professional training, standards development, research translation and international co-operation, providing a systematic framework for high-quality development. The Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of the Health Bureau, Dr Vincent Chung, said, "The Blueprint is Hong Kong's first comprehensive policy document in this area, offering a clear direction for the high-quality development of CM. The Government will work closely with the industry to build Hong Kong into a bridgehead for CM to go global."

As the flagship institution, The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong is actively driving clinical, research, and teaching initiatives. It is driving partnerships with international institutions to develop Hong Kong's integrated Chinese-Western medicine model into a global reference. The Hospital Chief Executive of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, stated, "Our hospital will fully support the Government in implementing the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, taking on the role of both flagship and 'change driver'. By specialising in disciplines and strengthening treatment of specific diseases, we will gather top talent to provide personalised services. At the same time, we will enhance the 'Hong Kong model' of collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine, developing high-standard clinical and research prototypes to set industry benchmarks. We will make good use of Hong Kong's international gateway advantages, and have already established strategic partnerships with institutions such as Chinese medicine hospitals on the Chinese Mainland, TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting in Germany and Western Sydney University in Australia. Together, we will promote training, applications, and the development of Chinese patent medicines, supporting the high-quality growth of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and internationally to bring it to the world."

Hong Kong will accelerate its contribution to the internationalisation of CM standards. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute combines local and national expertise and works with international specialists to set standards for Chinese medicinal materials, actively participating in the development of global technical platforms. The Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, said, "Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the international application of CM standards and testing technologies. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the Department of Health has already established internationally recognised reference standards for 357 Chinese materia medica, and will continue to strengthen exchanges and collaborations with testing institutions both locally and globally. To establish Hong Kong as a bridgehead for CM to go global, we will continue to actively participate in international herbal medicines platforms and, through our role as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, make greater contributions to the global development of CM."

The General Manager of the Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Baiyunshan Hong Kong Company Limited, Mr Bruce Chan, added, "The Blueprint offers clear development pathways and new opportunities for internationalisation. Hong Kong's financial and innovation advantages make it a key platform for CM enterprises to expand globally. We look forward to deepening collaboration with local financial institutions, universities and research bodies to support the development of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute."

The Chinese Medicine Forum featured two panel discussions focusing on "Research and Clinical Practice in CM" and "Modernisation and Internationalisation of CM", in which speakers explored how research outcomes can be translated into clinical applications, the role of CM in modern healthcare systems, and strategies for setting international standards and promoting global certifications. Industry representatives shared practical experiences in achieving international certifications such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and discussed strategies for cultural exchanges, standard promotion, and dissemination of clinical model to global. Following the forum, participants visited The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong in Tseung Kwan O and toured the Northern Metropolis to explore opportunities presented by Hong Kong's development in CM.

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Collecting preferences of Wang Fuk Court flat owners to advance long-term rehousing work

A Government spokesman said today (January 9) that social workers under the "one social worker per household" service of the Social Welfare Department (SWD) are proactively contacting flat owners of Wang Fuk Court, who were affected by the fire. They are comprehensively and systematically gathering each owner's preliminary preferences regarding long-term rehousing to assist in formulating and implementing specific plans.

The Chief Executive previously instructed the Task Force on Emergency Accommodation Arrangements to co-ordinate relevant policy bureaux and departments in studying long-term rehousing solutions. Adhering to the principles of "empathy, reason, and law", with priority given to "empathy", the Task Force aims to address the individual circumstances and preferences of residents while ensuring the efficient use of resources to assist affected households in rebuilding their homes.

The spokesman said, "Social workers from the SWD have been in contact with the residents, listening to their views, understanding their actual situations and needs, and providing necessary assistance. Regarding long-term accommodation, we have noticed differing opinions among flat owners and the community. For example, some hope that the Government will acquire the properties or give priority to Wang Fuk Court flat owners to purchase Home Ownership Scheme flats. Some residents seek local rehousing, while others accept rehousing in different districts. Some propose in-situ redevelopment, but there are also concerns about the lengthy waiting times.

"We hope to systematically and comprehensively collect Wang Fuk Court flat owners' opinions, further listening to and summarising their preferences. This includes identifying key principles that the Government should consider when addressing long-term accommodation arrangements and noting the flat owners’ initial preferences for different long-term rehousing options. This information will serve as a reference for the Government's follow-up actions."

Starting today, social workers under the SWD's "one social worker per household" service will begin contacting flat owners of Wang Fuk Court to gather their initial preferences regarding various long-term rehousing arrangements. The goal is to collect responses from the flat owners by mid-to-late January for analysis.

The spokesman said, "The Task Force will carefully compile and study the different preferences of flat owners and will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on the actual conditions at Wang Fuk Court, including structural safety, technical feasibility, and community planning. We aim to provide affected flat owners with suggestions regarding long-term proposals as soon as possible for their consideration and decision-making."

He said, "The Government and affected flat owners share a same objective: to implement solutions promptly and reassure them as soon as possible."

Following the fire, the Government arranged emergency accommodation for the affected residents of Wang Fuk Court in a short time frame. As of today, more than 4 400 residents are staying in hotels, youth hostels/camps, transitional housing, units from the Hong Kong Housing Society or Po Tin Interim Housing in Tuen Mun. Since December 22 last year, the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has provided each flat owner, in tranches, with a two-year rental subsidy up to a maximum of $300,000, giving them more flexibility and options in their accommodation arrangements.