Dr. Ronald Lam Leads Delegation to Beijing for Health Innovation and Cooperation Meetings

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations

​Upon invitation of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission (BJHC), the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, led a delegation to attend working meetings with health authorities of Beijing together with representatives of the Hospital Authority. Dr Lam also attended the Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation of the2024 ChinaInternational Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), where he delivered a keynote speech, and participated in the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference.

During his meeting with the Party Committee Secretary of the BJHC, Mr Zhong Dongbo, Dr Lam reviewed the progress of key health and medical initiatives in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, including the application of innovation and technology in public health, the Department of Health's (DH) efforts in strengthening health services and interventions through a life course approach, and achievements in the digitalisation of communicable disease prevention and control measures, etc. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on standardisation of Chinese medicine and the development of maternal and child health services, agreeing to strengthen co-operation in medical innovation and technology.

Dr Lam emphasised that, "The strengths of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's (HKSAR) healthcare system lie in its high-quality medical professionals and a comprehensive healthcare system and legal framework. Hong Kong is the only city in Asia with five world's Top 100 universities. Meanwhile, Beijing, a leader in healthcare, has the most Tier III Class A hospitals and national medical centres which rank first in the country, along with a wealth of diagnostic interventions and a diverse spectrum of specialised disease databases. Strengthening collaboration will enable both sides to join force in medical innovation research and seize opportunities for high-quality development of the nation's healthcare services by leveraging Hong Kong's unique role as a super connector, thereby contributing to the building of a healthy country which also stands tall in science and technology!"

This year's CIFTIS Beijing International Conference for Public Health Cooperation focused on "Innovation Promotes Global Health Equity and Accessibility". In his keynote speech, Dr Lam introduced various strategies and measures the HKSAR Government is implementing to establish the city as an international medical innovation hub. He also shared the DH's public health innovation strategy, emphasising the importance of talent training, digital transformation, data management and fostering an innovative culture with a view to enhance convenience, enhance efficiency, and developing smart healthcare. This approach aligned with the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the goals set forth in the Policy Address by the HKSAR Government in pursuing a "Healthy Hong Kong".

During the visit to Beijing, the DH representatives also attended the first Beijing Capital International Medical Conference and exchanged views with participants on global health management, establishment of services that promotes healthy aging, as well as innovations in artificial intelligence. The delegation also participated in the 7th Belt and Road Forum for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Development to report on TCM development. Afterwards, the delegation visited the National Cancer Centre to facilitate mutual understanding on the work and development of cancer prevention, screening, treatment and rehabilitation. Dr Lam also witnessed the DH and the Experimental Research Center of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, which is a subsidiary organisation under the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, signing a Co-operation Arrangement on Research for Quality Testing and Standards of Chinese Medicines that covers a period of five years.

Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Dr Edmund Fong, and the Principal Medial Officer (Service and Manpower Planning), Dr Anne Chee, also joined the visit. The delegation will return to Hong Kong today (September 14).

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Beijing Municipal Health Commission and Hong Kong held meetings to strengthen collaborations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSTB announces series of giant panda promotion activities

​Since the arrival of another pair of giant pandas, An An and Ke Ke (their current names), gifted by the Central Government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, a craze for giant pandas has sparked across the city. An An and Ke Ke are currently acclimatising to the new living environment and are in good condition. They are expected to meet the public within December this year.

In order to create a joyful atmosphere for welcoming the giant pandas, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), jointly with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Ocean Park Hong Kong (OPHK), will collaborate with various parties in Hong Kong to organise a series of promotional activities themed Come and Enjoy a Pandastic Hong Kong. The new Hong Kong giant panda family will serve as Hong Kong's tourism ambassadors in promoting "tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong" experience, attracting visitors from all over the world to Hong Kong and thus driving tourism development.

The CSTB will collaborate with various sectors of the society and the tourism industry to launch various promotional initiatives. One of the key events is the HELLO PANDAS Carnival, an outdoor event themed around giant pandas to be held from December 11 to 21 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazzas. Jointly organised by the China Tourism Group, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong as well as The Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association, and undertaken by the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited, the Carnival will feature a diverse range of activities, including art installations, interactive performance, cultural and creative fair, photography exhibition. The Carnival will be open to all for free.

The CSTB and the HKTB also fully support the large-scale event PANDA GO! FEST HK hosted by a creative brand ARR (AllRightsReserved). A giant panda roving exhibition will be staged on three consecutive Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays starting from December 7. More details about the event will be announced shortly.

In addition, the CSTB and the HKTB will also produce a new television promotional video, in which the giant panda family and their friends will experience four unique tours in Hong Kong, including (1) explore the stunning world-class natural scenery; (2) enjoy delicious food from all over the world from local food to Michelin-award-winning restaurants; (3) indulge in the artistic atmosphere of world-class cultural museums and art galleries; and (4) experience the excitement of major events at Kai Tak Sports Park. The HKTB will also use the same theme of the event to stimulate a craze for giant pandas across the city. The six giant pandas can be seen in MTR stations, the Central Pier, the Mid-Levels escalators, and large outdoor advertisements in downtown areas.

The Government will continue to seize the opportunity brought by the arrival of the giant pandas and connect different sectors of the society to actively plan and launch more promotional activities related to the giant pandas, thereby generating business opportunities for different sectors and boosting the economy.

CSTB announces series of giant panda promotion activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSTB announces series of giant panda promotion activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSTB announces series of giant panda promotion activities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases