Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, today (May 11) attended the Hospital Authority (HA) Convention 2026 and the Asia Summit on Global Health, marking the start of the annual healthcare flagship event International Healthcare Week. He also took the opportunity to meet with multiple high-level healthcare official delegations from the Mainland who came to Hong Kong to participate in the event and jointly explore co-operation in the area of healthcare.

Professor Lo said, “The HA Convention and the Asia Summit on Global Health are two major international events in the healthcare field. By gathering experts, scholars, and industry leaders in the medical and healthcare field from the Mainland and overseas in Hong Kong for in-depth exchanges, these two events not only highlight Hong Kong’s international advantages in healthcare, but also fully demonstrate its vital role as a ‘super connector’ linking the Mainland and the world under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle.”

Professor Lo emphasised that Hong Kong will proactively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan by deepening reform of the healthcare system and continuously promoting the co-ordinated development of healthcare services, drugs and healthcare protection, thereby resonating in tandem with the nation’s medical reform. At the same time, Hong Kong will also seize the opportunity to develop into an international health and medical innovation hub and move at full speed to align with the policies of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, with a view to building a “Healthy Hong Kong” while better integrating into and serving national development through leveraging the city’s distinctive advantages of having strong support from the motherland and close connection with the world.

In the morning, Professor Lo met with Deputy Director-General of the Health Commission of Guangdong Province Mr Deng Linfeng and his delegation to explore the facilitation of healthcare talent exchanges between the two places, and to exchange views on healthcare collaborative projects such as the direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangement.

Professor Lo said, “These initiatives will deepen healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and duly address the expectations of residents in both places for better well-being and convenience in healthcare access. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to promote the active integration of the local healthcare sector into national development. With reference to Hong Kong’s model and experience in specialist training, the Health Bureau will continue to explore with the Mainland the establishment of a standardised specialists training framework in the GBA, which is on par with international practices, to facilitate the exchange and cultivation of medical talent in the GBA and the nation. We will continue to work closely with Guangdong Province on the basis of complementarity and mutual benefits with a view to jointly building a ‘Healthy Bay Area’.”

In the afternoon, Professor Lo met with the Executive Director of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research at the World Health Organization, Dr Kumanan Rasanathan. During the meeting, Professor Lo introduced him to the structure and strengths of Hong Kong’s healthcare system and elaborated on how Hong Kong actively participates in international health co-operation with the support of the nation. He emphasised that Hong Kong will continue to leverage its unique position to contribute to global health governance, while demonstrating Hong Kong’s commitment and potential as an international health and medical innovation hub.

Professor Lo will continue to meet with various delegations attending the HA Convention 2026 and the Asia Summit on Global Health in Hong Kong tomorrow (May 12).

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MOFA response to false claims regarding Taiwan issued by China’s Foreign Ministry following China-Australia foreign ministers’ meeting

May 1, 2026  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) strongly denounces and protests the false claims regarding Taiwan in a press release issued by China’s Foreign Ministry on April 29 following a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong for the China-Australia Foreign and Strategic Dialogue. The seriously distorted content of the press release included erroneous statements that Australia “adheres to the one China policy” and “does not support ‘Taiwan independence.’”
 
MOFA condemns the Chinese government for continuing to invoke the names of other countries in statements that disregard internationally recognized objective facts and for repeatedly spreading false narratives that attempt to downgrade Taiwan’s sovereignty at international events.
 
MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent country; that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other; and that the PRC has never governed Taiwan. No attempt by China to utilize spurious claims or rhetorical and military intimidation will change Taiwan’s steadfast commitment to freedom and democracy. No nation has the right to obstruct or deny Taiwan, and no unilateral political declaration can change this objective reality.
 
Taiwan and Australia are like-minded partners that share such common values as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. Safeguarding cross-strait peace and preserving Indo-Pacific stability have become an international consensus. In recent years, the Australian government and its foreign minister have issued public statements on numerous occasions reaffirming the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposing any unilateral actions to change the status quo, and calling on all parties to resolve differences through dialogue rather than coercion or force. MOFA welcomes and affirms these statements.
 
As a responsible partner, Taiwan will continue working with like-minded countries to defend the rules-based international order and ensure that freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity endure across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today invited public views on the proposed outline of the combined fourth and fifth reports under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

The Labour & Welfare Bureau said the reports will update the United Nations on Hong Kong’s implementation of the UNCRPD since the previous submission. They will also address concerns and recommendations raised by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in its 2022 Concluding Observations.

Once finalised, the reports will be submitted to the central government for incorporation into its periodic reports to the United Nations.

The consultation period will run until June 30.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Director of Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), Mr Felix Chan, led a delegation to visit Hangzhou and Ningbo from May 7 to 9 to attract local talent to pursue their careers in Hong Kong, and to deepen talent collaboration between Hong Kong and the two cities.

     During the visit, the HKTE delegation, together with representatives from the Hong Kong Talent Entrepreneurs Association and several Hong Kong enterprises, toured the headquarters of Alibaba Group in Hangzhou to learn about the latest developments in the group’s cutting-edge technologies. The delegation later met with senior officials of Zhejiang University and held two briefing sessions, one for Zhejiang University students and alumni and the other for local young professionals and entrepreneurs, to introduce to them Hong Kong’s unique advantages and industrial opportunities, understand their career aspirations, and promote talent exchanges between Hong Kong and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) Region. 

     The delegation then travelled to Ningbo to take part in a talent salon organised by the Ningbo Hongkong Fellowship Association, engaging in dialogue with local professionals and entrepreneurs to encourage quality talent to relocate to Hong Kong.

     Mr Chan said, “Hangzhou has a thriving artificial intelligence industry and start-up ecosystem, while Ningbo is a key national maritime hub and the economic centre of the southern YRD Region. In addition to visiting Zhejiang University, this visit has successfully connected us with young talent and entrepreneurs with diverse professional backgrounds in Hangzhou and Ningbo. Our goal is to attract them to pursue their development in Hong Kong, thereby injecting new impetus into the city’s high-quality development.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Hospital Authority Convention 2026 Opening Ceremony today (May 11):

Deputy Director-General Li Wei (Deputy Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the National Health Commission), Chairman Fan (Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan), Secretary CM Lo (Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau), Chief Executive Libby Lee (Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
Good morning. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Hospital Authority Convention this year, marking the Convention’s 30th edition.

In keeping with the landmark anniversary, this year’s event features a record-high 75 sessions throughout the three-day Convention, according us with the precious opportunity to hear from some 210 distinguished speakers joining us from all over the world.

The Convention’s scientific programme will focus on the Hospital Authority’s core values, namely: people-centred care, professional service, committed staff and teamwork. Plenaries, symposiums and special sessions in the next three days include healthcare and health technology advances, data-driven and evidence-based clinical practices, sustainable healthcare, research and clinical excellence, medical education, non-communicable diseases, global talent and a great deal more.

As President Xi Jinping has said, “Health is the most important indicator of people’s happiness.” To bring “happiness” to all, the Government will continue to embrace innovation in healthcare and medical services, while expanding co-operation in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond, advancing the goal of a “Healthy China”.

In the furtherance of this strategy, we have been taking forward a number of initiatives. For example, the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform and the Real-World Study and Application Centre were set up last December. The Platform enables pharmaceutical companies to conduct trials simultaneously in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, accelerating clinical trials for rare-disease drugs, high-end cancer drugs and such advances as gene therapies; while the Centre aims to promote the standardisation of clinical data across the GBA.

Going forward, we will set up the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of this year. The Government will enact legislation to empower the Centre to regulate Western and Chinese medicines and establish a statutory framework for the regulation of medical devices, supporting Hong Kong’s rising role as an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products.

Furthermore, the Government will implement “primary evaluation” for new drug registration in phases, beginning this year. We will also expedite the “1+” mechanism for new drugs, piloting priority evaluation and approval of innovative drugs with urgent clinical use recommended by the Hospital Authority. Our goal is to accelerate patient access to the most advanced treatments.

To achieve this goal, the Hospital Authority will soon establish an Office for Introducing Innovative Drugs and Medical Devices to identify the needs and benefits of innovative drug treatments for local patients. The Office will liaise with manufacturers of innovative drugs and medical devices, promoting the “1+” mechanism for registering drugs and medical devices that are cost-effective and beneficial to patients.

The Hospital Authority is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s healthcare system, providing about 90 per cent of our city’s healthcare services. It has achieved high international levels of healthcare quality and plays a pivotal role in both local and national health and medical development.

The Hospital Authority champions the advancement of smart hospital development and nurturing a smart workforce. It is applying artificial intelligence in clinical workflow, from tomography imaging analysis and digital pathology to simultaneous interpretation services for consultations. AI is also being used to provide clinical-decision support and early detection of disease deterioration, as well as to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnoses and streamline treatment planning.

The Hospital Authority is also making significant strides in the internationalisation of national hospital accreditation standards. To date, four public hospitals in Hong Kong have gained accreditation to China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards, with more in the pipeline. The Hospital Authority has also established chest pain centres and stroke centres in accordance with national accreditation standards.

The Hospital Authority continues to invest in its greatest asset: its people. The Mainland Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes flourish in Shanghai and Beijing, in cities across the GBA and throughout the Mainland. Our Global Healthcare Talent Scheme also offers exchange opportunities for professional enhancement. Through collaboration and exchanges, we are building a resilient healthcare future.

This year marks the beginning of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. I am confident that the Hospital Authority, with its much-celebrated achievements, will continue to strengthen its services and work with the Government in drawing up Hong Kong’s first five-year plan.

Last but not least, my thanks go to the Hospital Authority for its continuous commitment to its mission of “Helping People Stay Healthy” and for organising this meaningful Convention. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a stimulating, rewarding experience at the Convention and a pleasant stay in Hong Kong. Thank you very much.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

​The Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) organised “Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice” as a Collateral Event of the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale) to present the artworks of Hong Kong artists Kingsley Ng and Angel Hui. In its first curation of Hong Kong Exhibition at the Venice Biennale, the HKMoA adopting the musical symbol “Fermata” as the curatorial theme engaged in dialogue with “In Minor Keys”, the theme of the Venice Biennale this edition, extending the mission of “connecting art to everyone” and bringing Hong Kong’s unique East-meets-West culture and life experiences to the international stage. The exhibition will run from today (May 9) to November 22.

     Speaking at the opening ceremony held on May 8 (Venice Time), the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law said: “Venice Biennale is the world’s oldest international art exhibition. For over 130 years, this prestigious event has drawn art lovers from every corner of the globe. Hong Kong has been proud to participate as a Collateral Event since 2001- one of our flagship overseas art programmes, supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. Over the past 25 years, this platform has not only showcased the excellence of our artists, but has also become a vital channel for sharing Hong Kong’s rich stories with the world.”

“This year marks the beginning of our country’s 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development. In alignment with this national direction, Hong Kong is committed to fostering greater artistic and cultural exchanges between the Chinese Mainland and countries around the world. It is in this light that our participation in the Venice Biennale carries special significance,” Miss Law added.

     The Chairman of HKADC, Mr Kenneth Fok, expressed that HKADC was delighted to collaborate with the HKMoA to present Hong Kong artists’ outstanding creations to the international arts community. The partnership not only strengthened the local institutional ties, but also enhanced the visibility and influence of Hong Kong arts on the global stage. Mr Fok expected that through this exhibition, more audiences from around the world would have a deeper appreciation of Hong Kong artists’ creativity and increased international exchange could be fostered.

Other officiating guests included the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan and the Museum Director of the HKMoA, Dr Maria Mok.

An established media artist, Kingsley Ng, is known for his poetic, site-specific installations that extend the viewer’s perceptions of life. His works have been presented extensively in notable exhibitions locally and internationally. He draws inspiration from “hanging laundry”, a common everyday scenery in Venice and Hong Kong for his creation in this exhibition. He has also specially recorded and incorporated the unique night-time sounds of Hong Kong into the multimedia installations, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate the tenderness of transient moments amid the rush of city life.

A promising emerging artist, Angel Hui, is skilled at integrating traditional Chinese cultural elements with contemporary artistic language. She has invited embroiderers from Suzhou to craft millennia-old embroidery onto ordinary plastic bags in Hong Kong, thereby incorporating national Intangible Cultural Heritage into multimedia installations. She has also collaborated with traditional metalsmiths to create handcrafted iron window grilles in Hong Kong and Venetian styles, with shifting shadows casting onto the walls of an old Venetian house as natural light filters through.

The Hong Kong exhibition covers five installations across the courtyard and four gallery rooms, showcasing Ng’s works, “Sometimes, There Are Clouds in Puddles”, “Sky Well”, “Laundry Nocturne”, and Hui’s “Drifting Sanctuary” and “I Would Like to Open a Window for You”. 

     “Fermata: Hong Kong in Venice” is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the HKADC, and co-organised by the HKMoA and the HKADC. It will be held in Venice, Italy (Campo della Tana, Castello 2126, 30122) from May 9 to November 22. For details of the exhibition, please visit hk.art.museum/en/web/ma/exhibitions-and-events/fermata-hk-in-venice.html.