The Health Department attended the Hong Kong-Jing Health Bilateral Meeting to deepen communication and cooperation

The Director of the Department of Health, Lin Wenjian, continued to lead a delegation to participate in the annual Hong Kong-Beijing health bilateral meeting yesterday (11th) and visited the Beijing drug regulatory authority to deepen communication and collaboration. Representatives from the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority met with Zhong Dongbo, the Secretary of the Party Committee of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, to conduct the annual Hong Kong-Beijing medical and health bilateral exchange.

In terms of infectious disease prevention and control, both sides exchanged ideas on various areas, including the use of artificial intelligence to assist in monitoring infectious diseases, responding to mosquito-borne diseases (including dengue fever and chikungunya), and encouraging citizens (especially adults) to get vaccinated. They also shared experiences in professional talent training, the development and regulation of traditional Chinese medicine, and other fields.

Lin Wenjian stated that the Department of Health signed a cooperation agreement with the Beijing Municipal Health Commission on Wednesday (10th) that spans the next five years in the health sector. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions yesterday on the specific details of implementing and promoting the agreement, laying a solid foundation for stable and long-term cooperation, which will help further optimize the public health systems of Hong Kong and Beijing, and strengthen both parties' capabilities in infectious disease control to jointly respond to public health emergencies, especially in comprehensive emergency cooperation regarding major respiratory infectious diseases.

Afterward, the Department of Health delegation visited the Beijing Drug Administration, where they exchanged views with Sun Liguang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and First Inspector, and Cao Wei, the Director, on enhancing the development of drug regulation and aligning with international standards.

Lin Wenjian pointed out that the Hong Kong government is keen to develop Hong Kong into an international medical innovation hub. The Department of Health is actively preparing to establish the "Hong Kong Drug and Medical Device Regulatory Center" next year and will implement the "first-tier approval" new drug registration system in phases next year.

The Department of Health delegation will continue to visit public health-related units in Beijing today (12th)