Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
InvestHK hosts Chinese Medicine Forum to drive global expansion of Chinese medicine
With the launch of the Government’s first Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint and the opening of Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital, the industry’s focus on modernisation and international development of CM continues to grow. InvestHK hosted the forum to spark discussions on CM and actively attract and support CM enterprises to develop in Hong Kong, through providing one-stop support services to assist companies’ expansion to overseas markets, achieve international certifications, and establish regional headquarters.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion of InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “As highlighted in the 2025 Policy Address, the Government is committed to advancing the development of CM. Hong Kong’s advantages lie in its ability to leverage the Chinese Mainland’s robust CM capabilities while possessing internationalised systems and standards. With the advantages of ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong is committed to becoming the ‘super platform’ linking CM enterprises between the Chinese Mainland and the world. InvestHK will assist the industry in accessing global capital and markets, positioning Hong Kong as a springboard for CM to go global.”
The Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint covers service enhancements, professional training, standards development, research translation and international co-operation, providing a systematic framework for high-quality development. The Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of the Health Bureau, Dr Vincent Chung, said, “The Blueprint is Hong Kong’s first comprehensive policy document in this area, offering a clear direction for the high-quality development of CM. The Government will work closely with the industry to build Hong Kong into a bridgehead for CM to go global.”
As the flagship institution, The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong is actively driving clinical, research, and teaching initiatives. It is driving partnerships with international institutions to develop Hong Kong’s integrated Chinese-Western medicine model into a global reference. The Hospital Chief Executive of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong, Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, stated, “Our hospital will fully support the Government in implementing the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint, taking on the role of both flagship and ‘change driver’. By specialising in disciplines and strengthening treatment of specific diseases, we will gather top talent to provide personalised services. At the same time, we will enhance the ‘Hong Kong model’ of collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine, developing high-standard clinical and research prototypes to set industry benchmarks. We will make good use of Hong Kong’s international gateway advantages, and have already established strategic partnerships with institutions such as Chinese medicine hospitals on the Chinese Mainland, TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting in Germany and Western Sydney University in Australia. Together, we will promote training, applications, and the development of Chinese patent medicines, supporting the high-quality growth of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and internationally to bring it to the world.”
Hong Kong will accelerate its contribution to the internationalisation of CM standards. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute combines local and national expertise and works with international specialists to set standards for Chinese medicinal materials, actively participating in the development of global technical platforms. The Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, said, “Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the international application of CM standards and testing technologies. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute under the Department of Health has already established internationally recognised reference standards for 357 Chinese materia medica, and will continue to strengthen exchanges and collaborations with testing institutions both locally and globally. To establish Hong Kong as a bridgehead for CM to go global, we will continue to actively participate in international herbal medicines platforms and, through our role as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, make greater contributions to the global development of CM.”
The General Manager of the Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Baiyunshan Hong Kong Company Limited, Mr Bruce Chan, added, “The Blueprint offers clear development pathways and new opportunities for internationalisation. Hong Kong’s financial and innovation advantages make it a key platform for CM enterprises to expand globally. We look forward to deepening collaboration with local financial institutions, universities and research bodies to support the development of The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute.”
The Chinese Medicine Forum featured two panel discussions focusing on “Research and Clinical Practice in CM” and “Modernisation and Internationalisation of CM”, in which speakers explored how research outcomes can be translated into clinical applications, the role of CM in modern healthcare systems, and strategies for setting international standards and promoting global certifications. Industry representatives shared practical experiences in achieving international certifications such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and discussed strategies for cultural exchanges, standard promotion, and dissemination of clinical model to global. Following the forum, participants visited The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong in Tseung Kwan O and toured the Northern Metropolis to explore opportunities presented by Hong Kong’s development in CM.
Issued at HKT 17:00
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“Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency kicks off today (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
“Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” sponsored by Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency kicks off today
The “Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” reminisces on the legendary journey of Hong Kong’s toy industry, from being an original equipment manufacturer to nurturing internationally renowned art toy artists. The Expo showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and innovation of Hong Kong designers, featuring 12 popular large-scale original intellectual property (IP) figures and over 100 collectibles from nearly 30 Hong Kong toy brands and original IPs, offering visitors a full experience of the unique charm of Hong Kong’s art toy culture.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, remarked that Hong Kong creators have excelled globally in the art toys realm with their innovative designs and increasing influence in the IP market. They are the key representatives of Hong Kong’s creative force. The Government has been fully committed to promoting the development of creative industries, continuously nurturing local talent and supporting expansion into the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, fostering a conducive environment to facilitate the sustainable development of the industry.
The “Hong Kong Art Toys Expo” is the first event in the “A Tribute to Art Toys of Hong Kong” series, and will be immediately followed by the launch in late January of the Hong Kong Art Toys Chronicle website in which the section of “Masters’ Hall” will feature the lives and creative journeys of original character designers. Thereafter, there will be the Hong Kong Art Toys Parade in the International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Chinese New Year’s Day (February 17); and the Hong Kong Art Toys Carnival from February to March at Victoria Park. This series of events integrates Hong Kong’s original art toys and IPs with tourism, creating unique cultural tourism experiences.
Issued at HKT 17:13
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Land to be occupied for railway works
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
Three private lots will be temporarily taken up by the Government from April 9 this year to January 11, 2030, to facilitate construction of the Northern Link (NOL) Main Line.
The arrangement follows today’s posting by the Lands Department of “notices for the creation of rights of temporary occupation of land”, in accordance with the Railways Ordinance. The Government said it will closely liaise with the land owners and affected parties, and ensure that compensation matters are handled properly.
The Government entered into the Part 1 Project Agreement of the NOL Project with the MTR Corporation last July to begin works on high-priority segments of the NOL Main Line. The Government also tasked the MTR Corporation with the detailed planning and design of the NOL Spur Line, including the concurrent management of all relevant statutory procedures.
69 blaze patients discharged
Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Health Bureau said today that as of January 6, 69 of the 79 patients admitted to Hospital Authority (HA) hospitals following November’s fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po had recovered and been discharged, while the remaining 10 were in a stable condition.
All individuals injured in the fire and admitted to public hospitals will receive full fee waivers for all necessary healthcare services throughout the entire process of their treatment and rehabilitation, the bureau added.
All residents of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court, including foreign domestic helpers, are eligible for full medical fee waivers until December 31 of this year. As of January 6, the HA had provided such services to around 1,700 affected residents.
Separately, last month the bureau introduced a free family doctor service scheme, free Chinese Medicine (CM) consultation services and free denture replacement services.
As of January 6, more than 300 private family doctors were participating and free consultations had been arranged for 78 affected residents.
Meanwhile, more than 360 CM practitioners were participating, with CM services having been arranged for 30 residents.
Regarding free denture replacement services, more than 100 private dentists are participating, with free services having been arranged for 23 residents.
District Health Centres/District Health Centre Expresses across all of the city’s 18 districts have set up hotlines to provide personalised case management services for affected residents.
Support includes matching residents with free medical consultation services, and co-ordinating follow-up appointments with the HA. As of January 6, the hotlines had received 265 enquiries.
Regarding mental health services, the bureau said that from the time of the Tai Po blaze to January 6, the 18111 Mental Health Support Hotline had received over 12,800 calls, around 700 of which were related to the fire. An associated WhatsApp service has handled over 600 messages, with about 50 of these concerning the fire.
The HA’s 24-hour Mental Health Direct hotline had received 94 calls related to the blaze, with 34 of these coming from affected citizens.
Temporary traffic arrangements at Lung Cheung Road this Saturday night to facilitate footbridge demolition works
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Temporary traffic arrangements at Lung Cheung Road this Saturday night to facilitate footbridge demolition works
| Temporary road closure period During the full closure of the section of Lung Cheung Road (eastbound) between Tai Hom Road and Hammer Hill Road from 1am to 5.30am on January 11, the corresponding westbound carriageway of Lung Cheung Road will be temporarily converted into two-way traffic.
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