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
