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Secretary for Health Attended 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

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Secretary for Health Attended 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva
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Secretary for Health Attended 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

2026-05-19 09:00 Last Updated At:11:57

Secretary for Health attends 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time).

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The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) attending a thematic side event cohosted by the National Health Commission and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Looking on are the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left). The Minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Lei Haichao (first right), delivered a speech at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) attending a thematic side event cohosted by the National Health Commission and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Looking on are the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left). The Minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Lei Haichao (first right), delivered a speech at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left); the Controller of the Centre for Health of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first left); and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left); the Controller of the Centre for Health of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first left); and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows delegation members, the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao (front row, centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (front row, left); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (front row, right); Professor Lo (back row, left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (back row, centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows delegation members, the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao (front row, centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (front row, left); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (front row, right); Professor Lo (back row, left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (back row, centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second right); and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first right), with the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala (second left), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second right); and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first right), with the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala (second left), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (seventh left); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (seventh right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (eighth left); Professor Lo (sixth left); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (fifth left); the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (sixth right), and other members of the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (seventh left); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (seventh right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (eighth left); Professor Lo (sixth left); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (fifth left); the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (sixth right), and other members of the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (first right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (second right); Professor Lo (second left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (first right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (second right); Professor Lo (second left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Professor Lo attended the Assembly as a member of the Chinese delegation. He was accompanied by the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui; and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee. The theme of this year's Assembly is "Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility", and the discussions cover a wide range of issues, including universal health coverage, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health emergency preparedness and response, mental health and social connection, standardisation of medical devices nomenclature and the International Health Regulations. The Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, delivered a speech about healthcare developments of the Mainland at the plenary session.

In the evening, Professor Lo and his delegation attended a thematic side event cohosted by the NHC and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. The side event, themed "Shaping Future Health Systems for Equity and Access in Digital Era - From Vision to Practice", was moderated by Dr Lee and the Director of the Institute for Global Health of Peking University, Professor Ren Minghui. Mr Lei also delivered a keynote speech at the side event.

Professor Lo and Dr Lam earlier also attended a side event on dengue fever. The side event focused on topics such as dengue fever prevention and control strategies, and the promotion of incorporating physical prevention and control into global health guidelines. The Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing, delivered a keynote speech at the side event.

After arriving in Geneva on May 17 (Geneva time), Professor Lo and his delegation met with Mr Lei and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide, to discuss the latest healthcare developments of the Mainland and Hong Kong, how Hong Kong can align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan in the area of healthcare, and Hong Kong's participation in the WHO's work.

Professor Lo and his delegation will continue to attend the WHA today (May 19, Geneva time).

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) attending a thematic side event cohosted by the National Health Commission and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Looking on are the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left). The Minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Lei Haichao (first right), delivered a speech at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third left) attending a thematic side event cohosted by the National Health Commission and the health authorities of Ethiopia, Oman, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand, Peru and Brazil. Looking on are the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left). The Minister of the National Health Commission, Mr Lei Haichao (first right), delivered a speech at the event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left); the Controller of the Centre for Health of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first left); and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (second right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left); the Controller of the Centre for Health of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first left); and the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows delegation members, the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao (front row, centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (front row, left); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (front row, right); Professor Lo (back row, left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (back row, centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows delegation members, the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao (front row, centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (front row, left); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (front row, right); Professor Lo (back row, left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (back row, centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second right); and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first right), with the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala (second left), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 79th World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a member of the Chinese delegation in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 18, Geneva time). Photo shows Professor Lo (third right); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second right); and the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (first right), with the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma'u Piukala (second left), and other attendees. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (seventh left); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (seventh right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (eighth left); Professor Lo (sixth left); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (fifth left); the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (sixth right), and other members of the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (seventh left); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (seventh right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (eighth left); Professor Lo (sixth left); the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (fifth left); the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Edwin Tsui (fourth left); the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee (sixth right), and other members of the Hong Kong delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (first right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (second right); Professor Lo (second left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, met with the Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 17 (Geneva time). Photo shows Mr Lei (centre); the Vice Minister of the NHC and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Mr Shen Hongbing (first right); the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland, Mr Jia Guide (second right); Professor Lo (second left); and the Acting Deputy Director of the Health Bureau of Macao, Dr Tai Wa-hou (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 17) seized about 400 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.8 million and a duty potential of about $1.3 million, at the Customs Tsing Yi Cargo Examination Compound.

Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected a 20-foot seaborn consolidated container, declared as aluminum sheet, arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam. Officers seized 400 000 suspected illicit cigarettes inside one of the consignments. The criminals had modified hollowed-out aluminum sheets as a container to conceal the illicit cigarettes in an attempt to deter detection by Customs.

Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk), or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $1.8 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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