The “Co-operation Agreement on Response Mechanism for Public Health Emergencies caused by Infectious Disease” was signed today by the relevant authorities of the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.

Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau met Administrator of the National Disease Control & Prevention Administration (NDCPA) Wang Hesheng and Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government Ao Ieong U in Hong Kong to sign the agreement.

Under it, co-operation and communication among the three places will include the sharing of information regarding infectious diseases and mass infection, co-ordinated emergency response efforts, and co-operation in relation to technical issues, training and research on public health emergency responses.

Prof Lo said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government attaches great importance to maintaining co-operation with the NDCPA and the Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture of the Macao SAR Government to safeguard the public during major infectious disease outbreaks.

“The agreement will further step up the joint prevention and control efforts against infectious diseases among the Mainland, Hong Kong and the Macau, thereby advancing the country’s important strategy of ‘Healthy China’ through concerted efforts,” he added.