The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, visited Guangzhou and Shenzhen today (February 23) to call respectively on the Secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Mr Hu Chunhua, and Standing Committee Member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Party Secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Mayor of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Xu Qin, with a view to further broadening and deepening exchanges and co-operation in commerce and trade, finance, infrastructure and technology between Hong Kong and the two places.

     Mr Leung said that the launching of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect last year and the development of the HK-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in Lok Ma Chau Loop would facilitate the promotion of joint developments in financial investment as well as innovation and technology. He noted that the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link would boost trade and exchanges between Hong Kong and Guangdong resulting in mutual benefits.

     The Chief Executive also took the opportunity to visit the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital and attended its 5th anniversary celebration.

     Mr Leung said that the hospital is a key project of Hong Kong-Shenzhen co-operation and has made important contributions to the medical development of the two places. The hospital provides quality medical services through the introduction of advanced international medical technology, facilities, treatment modes and hospital management. It has more than 500 doctors from the Mainland and overseas, including more than 100 Hong Kong doctors who have obtained licenses to practice there. Coming from different backgrounds, these doctors can exchange and share their experience. With plentiful clinical cases in the Mainland and the use of Chinese medical therapies, Hong Kong doctors can also accumulate valuable work experience.

     Mr Leung pointed out that the pilot scheme for the use of Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHVs) at the hospital was launched in October 2015. Eligible Hong Kong elderly persons can use EHVs to pay for designated outpatient services, benefiting those who reside in the Mainland or near Shenzhen. As at end-January this year, 1 230 elderly persons had used EHVs at the hospital.

     During his visit, Mr Leung toured the Clinical Skills Simulation Training Centre, which introduced the first Trauma Life Support Advanced Training to the Mainland, and the hospital's "Smart Pharmacy", which is equipped with automatic drug distribution facilities.

     He also called at the Chinese Medicine Clinic, which provides acupuncture and tuina services. The clinic is the most frequented among elderly patients using EHVs. Mr Leung also inspected the hospital’s operating theatre, which is the largest in Asia.

Ends/Thursday, February 23, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:38

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