Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau met a delegation led by Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Director Tian Xingjun today to introduce them to the development of Chinese medicine (CM) in Hong Kong and discuss the deepening of co-operation on CM between the two places.

Prof Lo introduced to the delegation in particular the multiple policy initiatives in relation to the promotion of CM development as announced in the Policy Address.

He highlighted that CM plays an integral part in the city's healthcare system and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has all along been committed to driving the high-quality development of CM on all fronts.

Among others, the Policy Address highlights the need to give full play to the strengths of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute.

Prof Lo said the Hong Kong SAR Government aspires to research and develop internationally recognised reference standards for CM and related products, in addition to the transfer of technology to the CM industry for strengthening quality control.

He pointed out that this will help establish the brand image of Hong Kong's CM drugs and develop the city into an international centre for CM testing and quality control, thus promoting the standardisation, modernisation and internationalisation of CM.

Noting that Sichuan and Hong Kong have all along been engaged in numerous exchanges in CM fields such as CM talent nurturing, industry development as well as academic and scientific research, Prof Lo said it is envisioned that Sichuan's advantages of CM resources and Hong Kong's role as an international CM platform can be further leveraged to reinforce co-operation among the CM institutions, organisations and enterprises of the two places.

The healf chief added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will keep working closely with Mainland and international stakeholders to enhance exchanges and collaboration in the CM field under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits.

The Hong Kong SAR will also utilise the city's traditional strengths in CM to bolster its vital role as the country's gateway to international markets to promote the inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of CM, he added.