Council on Human Reproductive Technology approves full resumption of services at "Heal Fertility Limited"
The following is issued on behalf of the Council on Human Reproductive Technology:
The Council on Human Reproductive Technology (Council) convened a special meeting today (October 5) to review the licence of "Heal Fertility Limited" (Heal Fertility). In view of the earlier incident involving a mix-up in embryo biopsy specimens at Heal Fertility, Council members thoroughly reviewed the information obtained from a follow-up on-site inspection, and confirmed that Heal Fertility has properly implemented all remedial and improvement measures. Therefore, the Council allowed Heal Fertility to fully resume all 17 treatment services covered by its licence starting tomorrow (October6).
Since July 8, the Council had suspended Heal Fertility's 14 treatment services out of 17, with the exception of three services related to the storage of gametes or embryos, and hadset up an investigation committee to investigate the matter. The Council had convened a special meeting on September 3 to review the investigation report and the licence matters of Heal Fertility.
This meeting followed up on a special meeting held by the Council on September 3 regarding the same incident. At that time, the Council accepted its conclusion that the main cause of the incident may involve intentional unlawful conduct by an individual, and considered that there is still room for further enhancement in Heal Fertility's overall performance and operational arrangements following the incident.Consequently, on September4, the Council sent a letter to Heal Fertility, explicitly requiring Heal Fertility to duly carry out a set of concrete improvement measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. Until Heal Fertility had properly implemented the measures, it could only continue to provide three services related to the storage of gametes or embryos.
On September 22, the Council conducted another unannounced onsite inspection of Heal Fertility, focusing on all aspects of the remedial measures.
The Council was satisfied and convinced that Heal Fertility had refined its internal samplehandling procedures, strengthened staff training, and upgraded laboratory management and security systems in accordance with the Council's requirements, including the implementation of CCTV surveillance on the premises, the installation of biometric locks on all cryostorage tanks, and the enhancement of sample identification and verification. The Council also noted that the main personnel involved in the incident had already left Heal Fertility, and that Heal Fertility has recruited new staff and provided training. After thoroughly reviewing the relevant reports and inspection results, the Council therefore allowed Heal Fertility to resume normal operations starting tomorrow. The Council will continue to closely monitor Heal Fertility's performance to safeguard the continuous provision of safe and high-quality services to individuals seeking human reproductive technology services.
Moreover, the Council has commenced a review of the Code of Practice on Reproductive Technology and Embryo Research. Key areas include reviewing the incident reporting mechanism and optimising the security and handling procedures of biological samples, with a target completion date of next year.
Source: AI-found images
Brussels ETO strengthens trade ties with Burgundy wine industry in France
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading.
The visit covered key wine-producing areas in the Burgundy wine region. The Brussels ETO and the HKTDC held a number of meetings with the local government, wine producers as well as wine industry institutions to promote the vast opportunities in Hong Kong as the hub for wine trading, distribution and auction, and to exchange views on the latest developments in the global wine market as well as the local wine production industry.
Speaking during a networking and promotional dinner with senior regional officials and industry representatives, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted Hong Kong's standing as a world-leading hub for wine trading and auction, following the removal of wine duty in 2008 and the reduction of liquor duty in 2024.
"Hong Kong's wine trading and auction activities are giving impetus to the development of other high value-added sectors such as logistics and storage, tourism as well as premium food and beverage consumption. We very much welcome the Burgundy wine trade to leverage Hong Kong's strategic position as the regional trading, distribution and auction hub to expand its market share in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region," Ms Yung added.
During the visit, Ms Yung also extended her warm invitation to the Burgundy wine industry to visit Hong Kong, including for the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in October every year, as well as the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair in November every year. Moreover, she promoted the Festival of Connoisseurs to the local wine industry, which will have its inaugural edition in November 2026 to showcase the art of premium lifestyles in Hong Kong.
Burgundy is one of the world's most renowned wine regions, with a rich winemaking heritage rooted in its distinctive terroirs and traditions. About half of its wine is exported to international markets. The visit formed part of the Brussels ETO's ongoing efforts to foster exchanges between Hong Kong and Europe in the wine sector and identify opportunities for closer collaboration in wine business and wine tourism.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (fourth right), meeting with Burgundy wine producers in Vougeot on September 29 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows representatives from the Brussels ETO and the HKTDC Paris Office visiting wine estates in Burgundy. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows (from left) Assistant Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Paul Leung; Deputy Representative of the Brussels ETO Mr Kasper Ng; the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung; the Mayor of Noyers-sur-Serein and Regional Councillor of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Ms Nathalie Labosse; the Director of France, Iberia and Benelux of the HKTDC, Mr Christopher Lai; the Chief Executive Officer of Caves Bailly Lapierre, Mr Sylvain Martinand; and the Regional Manager, Corporate Communication, Europe, Central Asia and Israel of the HKTDC, Ms Man-Linh Swan Chea, after a meeting in Chablis on September 28 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited the Burgundy wine region in France from September 28 to 30 (Burgundy time) to promote Hong Kong's role as an international hub for wine trading. Photo shows the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung (third left), meeting with the Director General of the Château du Clos de Vougeot (second right), Mr Arnaud Orsel, during a visit to the Château du Clos de Vougeot on September 29 (Burgundy time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
