Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today met General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) Vice Minister Wang Lingjun and they jointly witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on entry-exit health inspection and quarantine.

Prof Lo thanked the GACC for its staunch support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the entry-exit health inspection and quarantine.

Since the signing of the Co-operation Arrangement for Entry-exit Health Inspection & Quarantine between the GACC and the Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government in November last year, the two sides have strengthened the joint efforts in disease prevention and control as well as communication in terms of entry-exit health inspection and quarantine, and the collaboration mechanisms have also been operating smoothly, he said.

To better implement the co-operation arrangement, the Department of Health and the Shenzhen Customs District signed the MOU on the implementation on the co-operation arrangement today to further deepen the co-operation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, safeguard the wellbeing and safety of residents and travellers of the two places, and facilitate customs clearance between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

At the meeting, Prof Lo and Mr Wang exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including facilitation measures for cross-boundary flow of special articles, such as human tissue, biological products, and blood and blood-related products, for scientific research purposes as stated in the "Customs' Certain Measures on Supporting Comprehensive Deepening Reform & Opening Up of Shenzhen Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone" recently published by the GACC.

The health chief emphasised that promoting convenient and highly efficient cross-boundary flow of innovation elements is crucial for supporting the establishment of the Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform by the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center in the Shenzhen Park together to extend the research and development network and expedite clinical trials.

"The bureau will work closely with the GACC and Shenzhen Customs District to take forward timely implementation of relevant cross-boundary facilitation policies," he added.

Today's meeting was another occasion where Prof Lo met GACC leaders after his last visit to the GACC in Beijing in September.