The Government today (18th) released Hong Kong’s first Blueprint for Traditional Chinese Medicine Development (Blueprint), outlining the vision for the development of TCM in Hong Kong: to inherit the wisdom of TCM, draw on the country’s development experience and resources, leverage TCM to enable Hong Kong residents to access more high-quality and comprehensive healthcare services for better health, and build Hong Kong into a bridgehead for TCM to go global.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau stated that TCM is an important part of Hong Kong’s healthcare system, and the public has long trusted and used TCM services. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has been committed to promoting TCM development over the years, and the Blueprint marks the first policy document specifically formulated for the development of TCM in Hong Kong. The formulation of the Blueprint aligns with the national overall development strategy for TCM, and fully takes into account Hong Kong’s advantages under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle and its TCM regulatory framework. It is expected to facilitate Hong Kong’s better integration into the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a highland for TCM, as well as the national TCM development agenda.
Professor Lo pointed out that Hong Kong, backed by the motherland’s strong TCM strength, also boasts advantages in internationalized healthcare systems, regulatory frameworks, standard-setting, and clinical research. The HKSAR Government will continue to actively collaborate with the industry to promote TCM development, steadily implement the initiatives set out in the Blueprint, provide comprehensive and high-quality TCM services to the public, and leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantage of being rooted in the motherland and connected to the world to support the nation’s efforts in promoting TCM globally.
Professor Lo added that this year is a milestone year for the development of TCM in Hong Kong. The 7th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area TCM Inheritance, Innovation and Development Conference was held in Hong Kong on December 2. The permanent premises of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute also commenced operations last Thursday (December 11), receiving positive feedback from the public. The Blueprint released today builds on Hong Kong’s existing TCM development foundation, charts the course for the future, formulates a comprehensive plan, and drives the further all-round, high-quality and high-level development of TCM.
