WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China
The World Health Organization (WHO) today (June 16) convened the fifth WHO Expert Meeting on the Development of the International Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) in Hong Kong, China, for three days. The meeting brings together experts from six WHO regions to discuss and advance internationally harmonised quality standards for selected herbal medicines.
The Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office of the Department of Health (DH), as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHOCC), is supporting the WHO in organising the meeting, taking part in drafting selected herbal medicine monographs and contributing to related technical work.
The WHO recognises the important role of traditional medicine in healthcare systems worldwide and the need for its evidence-based integration. The development of the IHP aims to support harmonised quality standards for herbal medicines, strengthen regulatory capacity and help ensure the quality and safety of traditional medicine products. This work aligns with Strategic Objective 2 of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2025.
The Unit Head, Traditional Medicine Norms, Standards and Systems Integration Unit, Global Traditional Medicine Centre of the WHO, Dr Kim Sungchol, delivered opening remarks. He expressed the WHO's appreciation to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for its support for the meeting, and to the WHOCC for its close collaboration. He also acknowledged the important contributions of collaborating technical teams to the development of the IHP.
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, said, "The HKSAR was honoured to support the WHO's important work in developing the IHP. To align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan to advance the inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of Chinese medicine, expand and strengthen the Chinese medicine industry and promote Chinese medicine culture, the DH will continue to steadfastly promote the development of Chinese medicine and better integrate into and serve the overall national development. The DH will fully leverage the HKSAR's expertise in developing herbal medicine standards, testing and quality control. We will work closely with the WHO and international experts to contribute to the standardisation, safety and quality of traditional herbal medicines, thereby safeguarding the health and well-being of humanity."
Dr Lam also briefed participants on Hong Kong's work in developing safety and quality standards for Chinese medicines, telling good stories of Hong Kong.
Dr Lam said, "The DH has developed the Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards since 2002, with 12 volumes published covering standards for 357 Chinese Materia Medica. The project has gained international recognition, with its scientific findings cited by overseas authorities and international journals. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the DH, which is equipped with advanced technology and equipment, will continue to develop Chinese Medicine testing methods and standard development capabilities and promote high-quality development of Chinese medicine in the HKSAR. Leveraging the HKSAR's unique advantages under 'one country, two systems', with strong support of the motherland and close connections with the world, Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the wider global dissemination of Chinese medicine and establish the HKSAR as a bridgehead for Chinese Medicine to go global."
The HKSAR has continued to support the WHO's work on the development of the IHP. Following the WHO meeting organised with the support of the DH in Hong Kong, China, in November 2024 to discuss the roadmap and working mechanism for the development of the IHP, this meeting marks another important occasion on which the HKSAR supports the WHO in advancing this important international initiative.
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
WHO holds expert meeting on International Herbal Pharmacopoeia in Hong Kong, China Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion" takes families to magical cinematic world
The Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the "Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion" at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre (SWHCC) from 10.30am to 6pm on July 11 and 12. Various ticketed workshops and free activities will be available to children and parents to enjoy a creative weekend in the cinematic world full of imagination. The event is one of the highlights of the Summer Family Cine Fest.
During the event, SWHCC will be transformed into a magical world under the sea, where three ticketed parent-child workshops will be held. Led by dance artist Liz Tsui, the "Moving Body: Chase the Dancing Screen" workshop invites participants to spend dreamlike family time together with body movement games, alongside the scenes from the animation "The House of the Heart" by artist Florence Lee. In the "Glow in Motion: Sea World Light Painting" workshop, artist Grace Hoop will guide participants to transform into mysterious sea creatures by freezing the light trails that they create in the dark with body movements and glowing objects in photographs. The "Storytelling Time: Adventure with Image Treasure Box" workshop, led by art educators Nixon Wong and Lo Ngan-ting, blends storytelling with shifting images to encourage parents and children to explore through their senses to unleash their imagination and creativity while deepening their connection with each other.
Three art experience activities with free admission will also be available. Children can express their imagination at the "Magical Creatures Fan Mask Making" zone by applying colourful cartoons of funny sea creatures onto transparent fans and experience the playful interaction with torchlight. In addition, a collection of captivating animated short films will be screened in the "Film Zone with Selected Short Films" on a loop. Admission is free. The "Magical Portal Photo Spot" will also be available on the G/F and 2/F of SWHCC for families to take photos and become part of the magical world under the sea.
Each child participating in the workshops is required to be accompanied by a parent or an adult. "Moving Body: Chase the Dancing Screen" and "Storytelling Time: Adventure with Image Treasure Box" are priced at $120 for parents and adults and $60 for children. "Glow in Motion: Sea World Light Painting" is priced at $180 for parents and adults and $120 for children. Tickets are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Members of the public can participate in "Magical Creatures Fan Mask Making", with limited materials available while stocks last; and limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the "Film Zone with Selected Short Films". For programme details, please visit the websitewww.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=94.
The Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the "Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion" at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 11 and 12, including various ticketed workshops and free activities. The event is one of the highlights of the Summer Family Cine Fest. A collection of captivating children's animated short films will be screened at the "Film Zone with Selected Short Films". Photo shows a film still of one of the short films, "Tin Tune" (2025). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the "Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion" at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 11 and 12, including various ticketed workshops and free activities. The event is one of the highlights of the Summer Family Cine Fest. A collection of captivating children's animated short films will be screened at the "Film Zone with Selected Short Films". Photo shows a film still of one of the short films, "The Elephant and the Bicycle" (2014). (©Folimage) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the "Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion" at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 11 and 12, including various ticketed workshops and free activities. The event is one of the highlights of the Summer Family Cine Fest. Children can express their imagination at the "Magical Creatures Fan Mask Making" zone by applying colourful cartoons of funny sea creatures onto transparent fans and experience the playful interaction with torchlight. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Film Programmes Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the "Summer of Light: Cinema in Motion" at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre on July 11 and 12, including various ticketed workshops and free activities. The event is one of the highlights of the Summer Family Cine Fest. Photo shows a demonstration work of the "Glow in Motion: Sea World Light Painting" workshop. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
