Educational and publicity programmes will be launched from November 24 to December 31 to enhance public understanding of Chinese medicine.

Officiating at the launch of the "Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China - Hong Kong Programme" today, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow said the Government is committed to the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

More than 50 activities will be held in the coming five weeks. Highlights include a symposium on global development in Chinese medicine, China-Hong Kong heart-to-heart carnival on Chinese medicines, visits to elderly homes, free consultations by Chinese medicine practitioners as well as seminars.

All the activities are non-profit-making and will be provided free to the public or the Chinese medicine sector.

Vice-Minister of Health and Director-General of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dr Wang Guoqiang said the "Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China" is a nation-wide campaign that will last for three years.

The Hong Kong programme will enable the local community to gain a better understanding of Chinese medicine and will be beneficial to its development, he added.