Hospital Authority and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences jointly organised 2024 Forum on Frontiers in Medical Sciences among Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao (with photos)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     At the invitation of the National Health Commission (NHC), the Hospital Authority (HA) and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences jointly organised the 2024 Forum on Frontiers in Medical Sciences among Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao (the Forum) today (September 15). The Forum invited five academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering / Chinese Academy of Sciences from the Mainland and Taiwan, including the Vice-minister of the NHC and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr Cao Xuetao; academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr Wang Rui; academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr Dong Jiahong; academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mr Song Erwei; and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Mr Chen Chaolong, to attend in person and deliver a keynote speech.

     Mr Cao Xuetao expressed that two sides of the strait shared the same roots and were connected by blood. He emphasised the vast potential for co-operation in the frontier of medical science. He hoped to strengthen research collaboration, promote talent exchange, share medical resources, improve the quality of healthcare services, and optimise service efficiency. He encouraged all colleagues to seize this forum as an opportunity to advance the development of frontier medical technologies and strive to create a better living for the public.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau said that, "The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China adopted the Resolution on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization. Today's conference provided exactly an opportunity for experts from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao to engage in more in-depth discussions on medical and healthcare reforms, promote high-quality healthcare development, and drive new quality productive forces. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had high level of healthcare profession and efficient medical and healthcare systems at international standards. Hong Kong was leading in various medical and healthcare indicators and efficiency standards. With the advantages of "one country, two systems", the HKSAR Government had the strong support of the country and could better integrate into national development; at the same time, we were closely connected to the world. The HKSAR Government had also served an active role in the process of the reform of the country. The National 14th Five-Year Plan had expressed to develop Hong Kong into the international innovation and technology centre, particularly emphasising biomedicine innovation and technology. Health and medical innovation could drive high-quality development in healthcare and also become new quality productive forces. The HKSAR Government would continue to strengthen the active integration and co-operation with the Greater Bay Area (GBA). With the establishment of the GBA international clinical trial platform and advanced biomedicine technology industrial pilot transformation base in the Hong Kong Park of Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, it enabled Hong Kong to go global and attract foreign investment and to strive to develop into an international hub for medical innovation."

     The Forum has two youth forums, in which experts from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao were invited to participate, aiming to deepen their understanding of each other's cutting-edge medical technologies and clinical applications through presentations, and at the same time provide a platform for professional exchange and to foster in-depth integration among clinical experts in Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau in the future.

     The Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, said at the Forum that thanks to NHC's invitation, the HA was honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences to co-organise the Forum, which gave him an opportunity to witness that the medical innovation and clinical applications across the strait, and Hong Kong and Macau are at the forefront of the world. Dr Ko hoped Hong Kong will continue to play its role as a "super-connector". The HA will persist in facilitating collaboration among medical professionals across various regions.