Hong Kong Hosts Business Forum in Philadelphia to Boost Life Sciences Collaboration and Innovation Opportunities

New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception on March 12 (Philadelphia time) in Philadelphia, one of the most significant life science clusters in the United States, to promote Hong Kong's expanding role as a global hub for health and life sciences innovation and to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Over 130 business leaders, investors, and innovators from across Greater Philadelphia gathered to learn more about Hong Kong's role as an international life and health science hub.

As part of the Economic and Trade Express initiative, the business forum was co-organised by the New York ETO, Invest Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), strengthening efforts in trade and investment promotion, and reinforcing Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".

In her welcome remarks, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong's remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong's life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multipronged approach.

She elaborated on Hong Kong's integrated development plan, including reforming the evaluation regime for drugs and medical devices, promoting the use of real-world data to facilitate clinical research, setting up dedicated institutes and academies for research and clinical trials at the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone in the Northern Metropolis, as well as dedicated efforts in attracting strategic enterprises, with a view to further strengthening Hong Kong's position as a leading health and innovation node.

Ms Ho added that Hong Kong's well-established financial ecosystem continues to play a pivotal role in supporting this growth. "Hong Kong ranks as the world's second-largest biotech fundraising hub, supporting a diverse range of innovative companies," she said.

The business forum featured two keynote presentations connecting life sciences and health innovation between Philadelphia and Hong Kong. In her keynote presentation, the Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of the Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie, highlighted Hong Kong as a launchpad for life sciences, showcasing its well- developed research and development infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and strategic gateway to the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and Asia-Pacific markets. Meanwhile, the Director (New York & Midwest) of the HKTDC, Mr Curtis Louie, shared the range of support the HKTDC provides to Philadelphia companies, including matchmaking services for companies, and encouraged delegation participation in the upcoming Asia Summit on Global Health.

The presentations were then followed by a panel discussion moderated by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole, featuring the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Liu Shuang; the Head of Global Business Development of the Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson; and the Director, Deal Advisory, US-China Corridor of KPMG, Mr Jon Hung. The speakers discussed collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia.

On the same evening, Ms Ho hosted a spring reception for guests from the city's political, business, financial, and academic communities.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum to promote Hong Kong’s life sciences and health innovation in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (second right) with Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Invest Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in New York, Ms Yi Xie (first left); Head of Global Business Development of Jecho Laboratories, Dr Sarah Johnson (second left); Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ConSynance Therapeutics, Dr Shuang Liu (third left); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Science History Institute, Dr David Cole (fourth left); Director of Deal Advisory (US-China Corridor) at KPMG Mr Jon Hung (third right); and Director (New York & Midwest) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Mr Curtis Louie (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). The panel discussion at the business forum explored opportunities for collaboration, fundraising, clinical development, and market expansion in Asia. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). In her welcome remarks at the business forum, Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted Hong Kong’s remarkable progress in life sciences and healthcare, emphasising the latest measures to propel Hong Kong’s life sciences and health technology ecosystem through a multi-pronged approach. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows talented New York-based young musicians from Hong Kong performing at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (second right), with guests at the reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Guests from Philadelphia’s political, business, finance, and academic communities attended the event, and enjoyed the lion dance performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, delivering the welcome remarks at the spring reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (New York ETO) hosted a business forum and spring reception in Philadelphia on March 12 (Philadelphia time). Photo shows the Director of New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (sixth left), with guests at the spring reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR LegCo strongly condemns foreign media organisation for misleading international society and whitewashing Lai Chee-ying's offenses

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

A spokesman for the Legislative Council ("LegCo") today (May 1) strongly condemned the release of a so-called press freedom index by a foreign media organisation and presentation of a so-called award to the national security offender Lai Chee-ying to sugarcoat his criminal acts, and smear the press freedom and rule of law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ("HKSAR"). LegCo strongly condemns and firmly opposes all untrue comments that defame the human rights and rule of law in the HKSAR.

LegCo's spokesman stressed, "Hong Kong citizens enjoy freedom of the press and freedom of speech as protected under the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights. The Hong Kong National Security Law ("HKNSL") and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance ("SNSO") clearly stipulate that human rights shall be respected and protected in safeguarding national security. The rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of the press, of speech and of publication, enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to the HKSAR, are protected in accordance with the law. Facts speak louder than the words. Since the implementation of the HKNSL and the SNSO, Hong Kong society as a whole has thrived and returned to rationality and safety."

LegCo's spokesman emphasised, "Lai Chee-ying has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and the evidence is irrefutable. During the trial, a vast amount of evidence testified that for years, under the guise of journalism, democracy, and freedom, Lai Chee-ying utilised media platforms as political tools to incite hatred and commit acts that harmed both the country and Hong Kong. This included using media platforms to call for foreign forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and to impose sanctions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials. The court conducted a rigorous, fair, just and open trial lasting 156 days. The reasons for the verdict, spanning 855 pages, have been fully disclosed for public inspection; they set out in detail the judges' rigorous analysis of legal principles and evidence, and clearly explain the reasons for finding Lai Chee-ying and the three defendant companies guilty. The judgment also pointed out that Lai Chee-ying was not on trial for his political views or beliefs. The court's conviction is well-reasoned and sound, fully demonstrating that the court makes rulings strictly in accordance with the law and evidence, free from any interference."

LegCo's spokesman said, "As emphasised by the Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council,Mr Xia Baolong,in his speech on this year's National Security Education Day, Hong Kong's transition from chaos to order, and from order to prosperity, profoundly demonstrates that there is no development without security, and without security, everything is out of the question. Only by holding the bottom line of security can we achieve development and win the future."

LegCo's spokesman reiterated, "LegCo will continue to firmly fulfil its constitutional responsibilities, support the SAR Government's administration in accordance with the law, uphold the rule of law and ensure the steadfast and successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'. LegCo urges the international community to recognise the facts and immediately stop making any groundless, fact-distorting, misleading and malicious attacks against Hong Kong."

Source: AI-found images