Chief Executive John Lee met Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC) Lei Haichao at Government House today to exchange views on deepening medical and healthcare co-operation between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Together with Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG) Zhou Ji, they also witnessed the signing of the co-operation agreement on Chinese medicine and the Framework Agreement on Collaboration between the National Cancer Center and the Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) Yu Yanhong signed the renewed agreement on Chinese medicine with Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau to foster the innovative development of Chinese medicine.

The agreement also aims to advance the construction of Chinese medicine in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), further strengthen the collaboration between the NATCM and the Health Bureau in this field, and push forward the implementation of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the framework agreement signed by the health chief and Director of the National Cancer Center He Jie aims to push forward co-operation between the bureau and the centre in cancer prevention and treatment under the principle of complementarity and mutual benefits.

The framework agreement will also deepen collaboration in basic cancer research, screening, early diagnosis and treatment, standardisation of diagnosis and treatment, big data, and public education outreach and other areas.

The Chief Executive expressed gratitude to the country for its continuous support to Hong Kong's work in healthcare, noting that the Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to collaborating with the NHC and the NATCM.

The two agreements signed today will further strengthen mutual co-operation and advance the high-quality healthcare development in Hong Kong, Mr Lee said, adding that the Hong Kong SAR Government is deepening healthcare system reform, strengthening primary healthcare, and promoting collaboration in the GBA.

“Hong Kong will continue to fully capitalise on its unique advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world to foster healthcare co-operation within the GBA, with a view to contributing to propelling the important national strategy of 'Healthy China' through concerted efforts.”