DH Invites Mainland Experts to Introduce Latest Chinese Pharmacopoeia Revisions in Hong Kong

DH invites experts from Chinese Mainland to brief local industry on latest revisions to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, helping them procure high-quality Chinese Materia Medica

The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 3) organised a training seminar for the Chinese medicine industry and relevant stakeholders. The seminar provided an update on the latest revisions and testing technologies in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (Chinese Pharmacopoeia). A team of experts from the Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control was cordially invited to Hong Kong to deliver the lecture, helping the industry procure high-quality Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) and keeping abreast of the latest developments in national regulations. Over 200 representatives from local Chinese medicines (CM) traders, testing institutions, laboratories, universities, and research institutions participated in the seminar either in person or online.

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia is an integral part of national drug standards and serves as a statutory technical standard that must be followed by entities involved in drug research and development, production (including imports), distribution, use, and regulatory oversight. The 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia was fully implemented at the end of last year, introducing revisions to numerous technical standards for the quality control and safety regulation of CM. This seminar focused on some salient revisions and core changes to the standards for CMM and CM decoction pieces set out in Volume I of the new edition.

In addition, the experts from the Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control provided an in-depth analysis of the testing methods and the latest maximum limits for exogenous harmful residues, including pesticide residues, heavy metals and harmful elements, and mycotoxins. Through sharing real-world case studies, the experts deepened participants' understanding of regulatory requirements.

Regarding testing methods, the experts provided a detailed introduction to the various new methods in the 2025 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. A DH chemist also presented the high-throughput screening and analytical techniques for detecting exogenous contaminants in complex CM samples. Industry professionals praised the seminar as practical and highly informative. They noted that it deepened their understanding of the latest national drug regulations and provided clear guidance for implementing compliance transformation, from which they benefited greatly.

The DH expressed its sincere gratitude to the Guangzhou Institute for Drug Controlfor the sharing. This practical technical exchange helped the local CM and testing industries align precisely with national standards and reduce the risk of non-compliance.

The seminar also exemplified the joint efforts to advance the inheritance and innovation of CM under the Co-operation Arrangement signed in July last year between the Guangzhou Municipal Market Regulatory Administration and the DH of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Both sides will continue to deepen exchanges and collaborations in the regulation of medical products and CM testing technologies to achievecomplementary strengths and synergistic progress.

The GCMTI of the DH has all along been committed to establishing internationally recognised reference standards and testing methods for CM. It will continue to promote the quality enhancement of the local CM industry through technical exchanges and technology transfer. Going forward, the DH will continue to align withnational strategic planning, deepen close collaborations with regulatory and testing institutions in the Mainland, and dovetail with the guiding directions in the National 15th Five-Year Planon promoting the inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of Chinese medicine. The DH is committed to enhancing the professional standards and quality control system of CM testing in Hong Kong, and will spare no effort in promoting the high-quality development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 3) organised a training seminar for the Chinese medicine industry and relevant stakeholders. The seminar provided an update on the latest revisions and testing technologies in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Photo shows the Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Darwin Mak (first row, third left); the Deputy Director of Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control, Ms Lin Tong (first row, third right); the Chief Pharmacist (Chinese Medicine) of the DH, Mr Robert Law (first row, first left); the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the GCMTI, Mr Tommy Li (first row, second left), and other participants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute of the Department of Health today (September 3) organised a training seminar for the Chinese medicine industry and relevant stakeholders. The seminar provided an update on the latest revisions and testing technologies in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Photo shows the Deputy Director of Guangzhou Institute for Drug Control, Ms Lin Tong, giving a speech at the training seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute of the Department of Health today (September 3) organised a training seminar for the Chinese medicine industry and relevant stakeholders. The seminar provided an update on the latest revisions and testing technologies in the 2025 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Photo shows the Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Darwin Mak, giving a speech at the training seminar. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Speech by SCST at Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra "Welcome Tarmo Reception"

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) "Welcome Tarmo Reception" today (November 7):

David (Chairman of Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Mr David Cogman), Tarmo (Music Director of the HK Phil, Mr Tarmo Peltokoski), Vincent (Chairman of the Chow Sang Sang Group, Mr Vincent Chow), ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening. I have the greatest pleasure to join you at this reception to officially welcome our new Music Director, Tarmo Peltokoski. I say welcome, but of course, Tarmo is already a familiar and highly respected figure among our musicians and audiences. Tonight's reception is a formal introduction, but really, it should feel even more like a homecoming party.

First, let me propose that once again we give a good round of applause to Tarmo and all the talented instrumentalists, vocalists and choristers, from Hong Kong and overseas for the stunning performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 just now. The performance was a magnificent close to the HK Phil's complete Mahler cycle; but it was also a splendid fanfare for the new era under Maestro Tarmo's baton.

Great artistic synergy takes time to build, yet today it felt entirely natural. Tarmo first sparked this chemistry as the HK Phil's Guest Conductor in 2023, strengthened it as Music Director Designate last season, and he now finally steps into his new role with deep familiarity and well-honed artistry. Tonight's concert is a brilliant showcase of Tarmo's assured stage performance, exceptional conducting prowess, and seamless teamwork with the HK Phil's talented musicians. Just now I told Winnie (Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, Ms Winnie Tam), if I were a choir member, I would also be very, very happy to work with a conductor like Tarmo.

I am fully confident that this strong partnership will elevate the HK Phil to new heights and enrich Hong Kong's vibrant cultural scene. The Hong Kong SAR Government proudly supports the HK Phil in its further effort to solidify its role as a cultural flagship of our city. Together, we will project Hong Kong's artistic brilliance on the global stage, reinforcing our position as an East-meets-West cultural exchange centre.

As a music lover myself, please allow me to express my warmest thanks to Tarmo and all the musicians for an unforgettable orchestral feast. Here is to a new era for the HK Phil - one filled abundantly with breathtaking music, rewarding projects, and exciting milestones ahead. Tonight is just a remarkable beginning, and the best is yet to come.

Let us all enjoy the rest of this delightful evening. Do keep your eyes and ears open. I'm told there will be surprise bonus encore performances during the reception, and I, for one, definitely won't want to miss them. Thank you very much.

Source: AI-found images