Hong Kong and the Mainland signed a co-operation agreement on research for testing and standards of Chinese medicines in Beijing today.
It was signed by Director of Health Dr Constance Chan and the China Food & Drug Administration Office's Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan Affairs Director Yuan Lin.
The agreement strengthens exchange and collaboration between the two sides in scientific research of Chinese medicines.
Dr Chan said the agreement enables closer co-operation between both sides in developing quality and safety standards for Chinese Materia Medica, and further enhances the exchange of expertise and promotes the development of Chinese medicine.
The agreement provides for exchanges in the area of developing standards for Chinese Materia Medica, testing on the quality and safety of Chinese medicines and risk control strategies.
Expert meetings, symposiums and training between both places will be held.
The Chief Executive announced in the 2015 Policy Address the development of a testing centre for Chinese medicines, which will specialise in the testing of and scientific research on Chinese medicine with a view to setting reference standards for the safety, quality and testing methods of Chinese medicine.
The centre will also help promote the internationalisation of Hong Kong's Chinese medicine industry.
