IAB Members Visits GCMTI, Reviews Standards for Chinese Materia Medica Quality and Testing in Hong Kong

Members of International Advisory Board on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards visit GCMTI, endorse reference standards for 16 types of commonly used Chinese Materia Medica

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS)today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health (DH), which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture.

Equipped with advanced technologies and state-of-the-art equipment, the permanent GCMTI building will further enhance capabilities in developing CMs testing methods and standards, fostering comprehensive, high-quality, and high-level development of CM in Hong Kong. The GCMTI will leverage frontier testing technology and indicators, explore the feasibility of further developing HKCMMS into an international quality evaluation standard for Chinese materia medica (CMM), thereby fostering cross-regional and international trade development for CMM, bringing benefits to related CMs enterprises and the testing and certification industry.

The IAB members commended the GCMTI for conducting numerous rigorous research projects on CM based on the technical foundation of the HKCMMS project. These efforts have made a significant contribution to the scientific identification of CM, and have led to the development of several innovative testing methods. Furthermore, through technology transfer, the GCMTI has strengthened the capabilities of CM and testing industries in quality control and identification.

To date the GCMTI has completed multiple globally leading thematic projects utilising cutting-edge technologies, such as versatile testing methods for chemical markers in proprietary CM, micro-morphological identifications of CM, and the establishment of a three-dimensional image database for traceable CMM through photogrammetry, etc. The results of GCMTI projects have been uploaded to the website of Chinese Medicines Regulatory Office for reference by the CM industry and the public.

Meanwhile, the 14th Meeting of the IAB on HKCMMS, organised by the DH, concluded successfully today. Experts from various countries completed a review of the safety and quality standards for 16 types ofCMM, as well as an examination of the safety testing requirements for CMM.

During the two-day meeting, the IAB reviewed the standards for a total of 16 CMM, namely Bambusae Caulis in Taenias, Pyrolae Herba, Natrii Sulfas, Dichroae Radix, Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma, Cynanchi Atrati Radix et Rhizoma, Jasmini Flos, Tinosporae Caulis, Inulae Flos, Haematitum, Lasiosphaera seu Calvatia, Vespae Nidus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Folium, Meliae Cortex and Tripterygii Wilfordii Radix. Following deliberations, the IAB selected 32 CMM as targets for the next phase of standard development.

At the meeting, the experts also reviewed the safety testing requirements for CMM, covering the maximum residue limits for heavy metals, pesticide residues, aflatoxins and sulphur dioxide. The experts are from the Chinese Mainland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States, etc.

The GCMTI will continue to integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, promote the internationalisation and standardisation of CM through the HKCMMS, thereby further consolidating Hong Kong's position as an international CM testing and quality control centre.

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows IAB members visiting the DNA Laboratory of the GCMTI. Equipped with versatile instruments for comprehensive DNA analyses, the laboratory uses DNA technologies to enhance the genetic traceability between CM and their origin plant or animal species to ensure the quality and safety of CM. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows IAB members visiting the Microscopic Identification Laboratory of the GCMTI to learn about the innovative Simplified Powder Microscopic Identification method, which offers a straightforward and accurate way to identify cortex type of decoction pieces that have few and similar macroscopic features. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows IAB members visiting the Macroscopic Identification Laboratory of the GCMTI. Equipped with high-resolution digital cameras and professional lighting equipment, the laboratory is also responsible for developing standards and building a knowledge base for "micro-morphological identification", which involves using a stereomicroscope to magnify tiny features of samples that are difficult to detect or see clearly with the naked eye, providing more reliable evidence for Chinese Materia Medica sample identification. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows IAB members visiting the Advanced Pharmacognostic Laboratory of the GCMTI. The laboratory features an electronic nose analysis room, an electronic tongue analysis room, a colour and shade analysis room, and a computer-aided identification room, supporting sophisticated analysis of CM. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows an IAB member closely observing herbal specimens inside the Chinese Medicines Herbarium of the GCMTI. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows IAB members visiting a specimen of Astragali Radix endowed by the country inside the Chinese Medicines Herbarium of the GCMTI. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Members of the International Advisory Board (IAB) on Hong Kong Chinese Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS) today (July 15) visited the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health, which opened late last year, to learn more about the GCMTI's work in establishing quality standards, researching and and developing innovative testing methods for Chinese medicines (CM), supporting the industry in CM identification, and promoting CM culture. Photo shows the Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Darwin Mak (front row, fifth left), with IAB members and other attendees of the 14th Meeting of the IAB on HKCMMS. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by DSJ at forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan"

Following is the speech by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7):

Dr Phyllis Kwong (President of the Asia Pacific Law Association), Consul General Mr Dosmanbetov (Consul General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong, Mr Bauyrzhan Dosmanbetov), (Deputy Secretary-General of the China Overseas Development Association, Ms Liu Jianqing), distinguished speakers, guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is a great pleasure to join today's forum organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association.

In June, I had the privilege of joining a highly fruitful delegation led by the Chief Executive to Kazakhstan in my capacity as the Deputy Secretary for Justice as well as the Chairman of the Expert Committee on Professional Services for Going Global.

That visit reinforced a clear message: Hong Kong is a natural and indispensable partner not only for Kazakhstan's development, but also for Chinese Mainland enterprises seeking to expand into Kazakhstan and beyond. I would like to share some of my observations.

Opportunities in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia, sits at the strategic crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its economy momentum is remarkable - with growth of 6.5 per cent in 2025 and projected to hold steady at 4.8 per cent in 2026. As a global heavyweight in energy fuels and critical minerals, and a vital node of the Belt and Road Initiative, Kazakhstan is not just opening its markets, but undergoing profound economic transformation.

Its young and tech-savvy population is driving unprecedented demand for digital services, modern infrastructure, and sophisticated financial products. This creates a fertile ground for partnership.

I am certain that the Consul General will share more on Kazakhstan's latest development in a minute.

Hong Kong's Unique "Hub-to-Hub" Role

Let me now focus on how Hong Kong serves as the ideal "hub" to connect with Kazakhstan's growing "hub" - a "hub-to-hub" collaboration as remarked by the Chief Executive in our recent visit.

Under the "one country, two systems" principle, Hong Kong is more than a gateway. We are the active catalyst.

Hong Kong as the Premier Financial Hub

First, let's consider our financial market. In the first quarter of 2026, our stock market ranked first globally in IPO (initial public offering) funds raised. This liquidity is matched by a deep and robust bond market, evidenced by the Development Bank of Kazakhstan's issuance of Renminbi "dim sum" bonds in Hong Kong.

We serve as a deal-making bridge connecting Kazakh capital with high-growth Mainland sectors. This is essential for pre-IPO financing through which Chinese businesses' capital base would be diversified while enriching Kazakh financial industry's investment portfolio.

On capital market listings, we facilitate dual access. Last year, we welcomed the first simultaneous dual listing on the Hong Kong and Astana exchanges of a Mainland mining firm. By tapping into investor bases simultaneously, the company was able to raise more funds than it could have through a single listing.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's national railway company wholly-owned by its sovereign wealth fund has recently submitted its listing application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This showcases how Hong Kong also acts as the premier gateway for Kazakh state-owned enterprises seeking international expansion and funding.

The Common Law Advantage

Behind every successful transaction lies a solid legal foundation. The Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan has established a special jurisdiction operating under common law principles. This mutual legal grounding in common law gives Hong Kong a distinctive edge in safeguarding cross-border transactions with predictability.

First, on investment infrastructure. Complex and multi-jurisdictional Belt and Road projects require sophisticated legal engineering with expertise in cross-border regulatory landscape. Hong Kong lawyers, with rich experience and a wide network, navigate the intersection of common law, international regulations, and Chinese corporate governance to ensure the projects' sustainability.

Second, on dispute resolution. Hong Kong offers a regulatory framework that delivers the certainty and effectiveness for cross-border dispute resolution. We have established a comprehensive mutual legal assistance network with the Chinese Mainland, enabling distinctive advantages no other jurisdiction could match, including in mutual enforcement of civil and commercial judgments and interim measures for arbitral proceedings.

Our Judiciary is setting up the Hong Kong International Commercial Court (HKICC), a specialist division of the High Court, to adjudicate complex, high-value international and cross-border commercial disputes. The HKICC, together with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and the International Organization for Mediation headquartered in Hong Kong, will provide businesses with a comprehensive range of dispute resolution options.

Our Initiatives

Now that you have a clearer picture of how Hong Kong's world-leading financial market with quality professional services could assist businesses to seize Kazakh opportunities. The next question is: how to find your suitable advisors?

To strengthen the connection between enterprises and Hong Kong's professional services, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has launched several new initiatives.

We have been leading mission trips to the Chinese Mainland and beyond, directly linking Hong Kong's legal and other professionals with enterprises seeking to go global. These are not just networking events but matchmaking platforms for concrete business needs.

This April, the DoJ published the Panel List of Hong Kong Legal Service Providers Supporting "Go Global", detailing their practice areas, such as capital markets, taxation, etc, and the industries they have assisted.

We have also compiled two collections of success stories, showcasing the track record of Hong Kong's legal, accounting, financial and business consultancy services.

With these tools, businesses could appreciate in practical terms the value our professional services could create, backing their full business cycle.

Ladies and gentlemen, the distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's financial and legal infrastructures position us to play a pivotal role in supporting closer collaboration with Kazakhstan. I look forward to working together with you to build better partnerships among Chinese Mainland enterprises, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. I wish today's event a huge success. Thank you very much.

The Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, speaks at a forum on "Legal and Professional Services Empowering Chinese Enterprises to Enter into Kazakhstan" organised by the Asia Pacific Law Association today (August 7). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases