Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau and a delegation today began their visit to Beijing by calling on Mainland officials to introduce them to the latest developments of various healthcare reforms in Hong Kong and deepen synergistic collaboration on healthcare-related areas with the Mainland.

During a meeting with National Health Commission (NHC) Vice-minister Yu Xuejun, Prof Lo engaged in an in-depth discussion on how to further deepen cross-boundary collaboration on health and medical innovation between the Mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

He also actively put forward to the NHC multiple proposals on measures for promoting the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements, including entry and exit of human genetic resources in the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (Development Plan for Shenzhen Park) promulgated by the State Council.

Prof Lo noted that the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park emphasises the co-ordinated development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong through the establishment of an internationally competitive base for industrial pilot-scale testing and transformation in Hetao to support the innovative application of advanced biomedicine technologies.

Last year’s Policy Address also proposed the development of Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.

To this end, the Health Bureau strives to push forward with multiple key initiatives, including joining forces with the Shenzhen Municipal Government to set up in the Hetao Area an international clinical trial collaboration platform for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the "one zone, two parks" model in expectation of simultaneous commencement of operation in the fourth quarter.

The health chief pointed out that the development of innovative drugs and medical devices not only enhances healthcare standards but also transforms the industry, adding that Hong Kong's healthcare system must keep abreast of the times and pursue transformation with innovation.

Prof Lo and the delegation also met National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) Commissioner Prof Yu Yanhong and discussed issues related to the promotion of the development of Chinese medicine (CM).

He said the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to press ahead with the high-quality development of CM in Hong Kong on all fronts by giving full play to the characteristics of CM in Hong Kong and the city's strengths in areas such as service delivery, standard-setting, international connectivity and clinical research, assisting the nation to propel CM to go global.

Separately, at a meeting with the Head of the Department of Political Affairs of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China Lyu Weihong, Prof Lo highlighted that the Hong Kong SAR Government has been maintaining close co-operation with the Mainland's entry-exit health inspection and quarantine authorities, as well as strengthening the joint efforts in disease prevention and control in terms of entry-exit health inspection and quarantine between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with a view to safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of residents and travellers of the two places.

The two parties also exchanged views on the promotion of the cross-boundary flow of innovation elements as mentioned in the Development Plan for Shenzhen Park.

The delegation will call on the State Council’s Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office and the National Medical Products Administration tomorrow before departing for Hong Kong in the evening.