Hong Kong and Mainland China Strengthen Healthcare Collaboration with New Agreements on Chinese Medicine and Cancer Prevention

CE meets with Minister of National Health Commission and jointly witness signing of collaboration agreements

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao,at the Government House today (January 13) to exchange views on deepening medical and healthcare co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong. Together with the Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Zhou Ji, they also witnessed the signing of the co-operation agreement on Chinese medicine (co-operation agreement on CM) and the Framework Agreement on Collaboration between the National Cancer Center and the Health Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (Framework Agreement).

Chinese medicine (CM) is a treasure of Chinese civilisation, and the country has always attached great importance to the development of CM. The Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), Ms Yu Yanhong, signed the renewed co-operation agreement on CM with the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, to deepen the co-operation between the two places and foster the inheritance and innovative development of CM through concerted efforts. The agreement also aims to comprehensively advance the construction of CM highlands in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), further strengthen the close CM collaboration between the NATCM and the Health Bureau (HHB), and push forward the implementation of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint (the Blueprint) in Hong Kong. The NATCM will continue to support Hong Kong in leveraging its own strengths, and jointly promote the high-quality development of CM, thereby enabling CM to play a greater role in safeguarding human health.

In his 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced the collaboration with the National Cancer Center (NCC) to consolidate Hong Kong's leading position in cancer research, prevention and control, thereby optimising services for cancer patients. The Framework Agreement signed by Professor Lo and the Director of the NCC, Dr He Jie, aims to push forward the in-depth co-operation between the HHB and the NCC in cancer prevention and treatment under the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits. The Framework Agreement will also deepen collaboration in basic cancer research, screening, early diagnosis and treatment, standardisation of diagnosis and treatment, big data, and public education outreach and other areas. The NCC and HHB will share their best practices and latest developments across different co-operation areas, plan and promote experience sharing on cancer prevention and control policy formulation as well as big data applications, with a view to enhancing the professional standard in cancer prevention and treatment for both sides.

Mr Lee expressed gratitude to the country for its continuous support to Hong Kong's work in healthcare. He said, "The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government attaches great importance to collaborating with the NHC and the NATCM. The two agreements signed today will further strengthen mutual co-operation and advance the high-quality healthcare development in Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government deepens healthcare system reform, strengthens primary healthcare, and promotes collaboration in the GBA. The collaboration implements the policy initiatives I put forward in the 2025 Policy Address to promote CM development and establish Hong Kong as a bridgehead for the global expansion of CM, as well as continue to enhance cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment, while creating and strengthening the collaborative platform in cancer prevention and control, thereby enabling Hong Kong residents to enjoy higher quality, more efficient and more comprehensive healthcare services, as well as enhancing the health and well-being of the residents of the Mainland and Hong Kong. Hong Kong will continue to fully capitalise on its unique advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world to foster healthcare co-operation within the GBA, with a view to contributing to propelling the important national strategy of 'Healthy China' through concerted efforts."

Professor Lo said, "The NATCM has been supporting CM development of Hong Kong over the years, including the construction of the first CM hospital in Hong Kong and the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, as well as the full implementation of the recommendations in the Blueprint. The NCC possesses extensive experience in cancer prevention and control to foster in-depth co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in areas such as cancer prevention and screening, diagnosis and treatment, and education. I hope that the two agreements signed today can enhance the health and well-being of the people of the two places, thereby building a 'Healthy Hong Kong' for integration into the nation's strategy of 'Healthy China'."

The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan; the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Mr Henry Fan; and the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Libby Lee, also attended the signing ceremony today.

CE meets with Minister of National Health Commission and jointly witness signing of collaboration agreements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE meets with Minister of National Health Commission and jointly witness signing of collaboration agreements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE meets with Minister of National Health Commission and jointly witness signing of collaboration agreements Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 28), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date.

The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local cases, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images