LegCo Panel Explores Operations of Hong Kong's Chinese Medicine Hospital and Testing Institute

LegCo Panel on Health Services visits The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Health Services visited the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) today (February 9) to gain insight into the operations of the facilities following their opening.

Members first received a briefing by representatives from the CMHHK on the hospital's positioning, design concept and service highlights. Members noted thattheCMHHK commenced services in phases from December 11 last year. In the first year, the hospital will provide outpatient and day-patient services, launch six specialised Chinese medicine (CM) services as well as 12 CM special disease programmes, with other services expanding year by year.

Members then visited the facilities of theCMHHK, including the day wards and private clinic, to learn about patient care and the appointment procedures. They also observed a demonstration of the moxibustion treatment to gain a deeper understanding on CM culture and application. Members also inquired with the hospital representatives about the fees and charges of the hospital private clinic as well as healthcare manpower arrangement.

Afterwards, Members went to the permanent premises of the GCMTI, where they received a briefing by representatives from the Department of Health on the institute's positioning and its work priorities. They also watched a video highlighting CM cultural heritage. Members noted that one of the missions of the GCMTI is to develop a series of internationally recognised reference standards for CM by employing advanced and innovative technology.

Members also toured the Chinese Medicines Herbarium at the GCMTI and viewed featured exhibits, including precious specimens such as cordyceps and Radix Astragali. They learnt that the collection comprises over 10 000 items, which serves as an indispensable reference for research, testing and comparative identification of CM.

A total of 12 members and non-members of the Panel on Health Services participated in the visit.

LegCo Panel on Health Services visits The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Health Services visits The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Health Services visits The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

LegCo Panel on Health Services visits The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland delegation visits Hong Kong to ensure sufficient supply of variety of food during Chinese New Year

The Deputy Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Ms Li Na, today (February 9) led a delegation to Hong Kong to observe the situation of the food supply from the Mainland to Hong Kong andto ensure that people in Hong Kong have sufficient supply of a variety of high-quality food during the Chinese New Year. Members of the delegation include representatives from the General Administration of Customs of the PRC, the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province.

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, met with the delegation at noon and expressed gratitude for their annual visit to Hong Kong ahead of the Chinese New Year to observe the situation of the food supply from the Mainland. He said that the relevant Mainland authorities have strengthened the sources of supply and enhanced contingency plans to ensure the stability and safety of the food supply, fully demonstrating the Central Authorities' care and support for Hong Kong. Mr Tse also shared with the delegation on how the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government rolls out various new food-related initiatives to align proactively with the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

The delegation visited the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse in the morning to observe the transportation, auction and slaughtering of live pigs supplied to Hong Kong. Accompanied by representatives of the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the delegation visited the Wan Chai Market and the Western Wholesale Food Market in the afternoon to observe the distribution and sale of fresh food.

The Mainland is the primary source of agricultural products, especially live and fresh food, for Hong Kong. Relevant agencies on the Mainland have long attached great importance to the quality, safety and stability of food supplied to Hong Kong and have established a close liaison mechanism with Hong Kong. As the supply businesses of fresh food to Hong Kong have continued to grow on the Mainland, the quality and variety of food products supplied to Hong Kong have continued to improve, demonstrating the Central Government's care for the HKSAR and playing a crucial role in stabilising the supply and prices of fresh food to Hong Kong.

Mainland delegation visits Hong Kong to ensure sufficient supply of variety of food during Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland delegation visits Hong Kong to ensure sufficient supply of variety of food during Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mainland delegation visits Hong Kong to ensure sufficient supply of variety of food during Chinese New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases