Chief Executive Carrie Lam today received another delegation of Mainland experts, comprising seven specialists in the field of Chinese medicine, to support the anti-epidemic work in Hong Kong.

At a media session at Shenzhen Bay Port, Mrs Lam said inviting the delegation of Chinese medicine experts to Hong Kong at this stage serves several purposes.

She said: “One is because the use of Chinese medicine in curing infected COVID-19 patients has proven to be very effective in the Mainland.

“Right now, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's efforts in fighting the epidemic is to prevent critical illness and of course to prevent deaths. That is why their participation will be very beneficial to our achieving this objective.

“The second purpose is that, as we all know, Chinese medicine is also very effective in rehabilitation. After a COVID-19 patient has been cured, particularly an elderly patient, the use of Chinese medicine can also help them with a speedy recovery. 

“The third reason is because, as you know, in this term of the Government, we are focusing a lot more efforts on promoting the development of Chinese medicine. I have included Chinese medicine into the public health system in one of my Policy Addresses.”

She added that the delegation’s visit is also a very good opportunity for both sides to work together and have useful exchanges.

“I really hope that we could facilitate more exchanges between Chinese medicine experts and practitioners in the Mainland as well as in Hong Kong, so that we could map out a clear pathway for the promotion and development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.”

In the afternoon, Chief Secretary John Lee and other government officials had a meeting with the expert group at the Central Government Offices.

Mr Lee noted that the expert group brings their expertise and clinical experience in combatting the epidemic, boosting Hong Kong's confidence in containing the epidemic and extending to the city the deepest care by the nation.

The Hong Kong SAR Government accords high priority to the visit of the expert group and will make the most appropriate arrangement to seize the chance in learning as much as possible about their experience in applying Chinese medicine to anti-epidemic efforts and in conducting exchanges with the group, he added.