​Following is the pre-recorded video speech by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, at the "Stepping into the Dynamic Future of Healthcare - Latest Developments in Life and Health Technology in Hong Kong" business seminar held in Sydney today (April 27):

     Good evening, everyone in Sydney.

     Hello from Hong Kong! I am delighted to join you all virtually this evening at the business seminar, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Business Sydney, to promote the upcoming Asia Summit on Global Health in Hong Kong as well as the latest developments and opportunities in life and health technology in our city.

     The Asia Summit on Global Health is one of the premier events of its kind, bringing together cross-disciplinary stakeholders to exchange insights on global trends in health innovation and investment, and to facilitate global collaboration in the health arena. Riding on the success of the last edition, the Summit this year will blaze with the theme "Reimagining the Future of Healthcare". The Summit will comprise a high-level symposium covering various hot topics, ranging from global health issues and healthcare innovation to business and investment opportunities in Asia. The challenges posed by the pandemic have reminded us all of the importance of collaboration in bolstering global health and the need for innovation to enhance healthcare. Asia, and in particular Hong Kong, is rapidly growing in prominence as a vibrant innovation hub, and we are at the forefront to contribute to a more sustainable future for global healthcare.

     Indeed, opportunities in life and health technology developments in Hong Kong are plentiful. Under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has always been the place where China and international advantages converge. We are blessed with the unwavering support from the Central Government, notably the 14th Five-Year Plan which presents a clear and compelling positioning of Hong Kong in eight traditional and emerging sectors. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area also serves as our hinterland of immense opportunities. Before taking up my position, I served as the Chief Executive of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital for almost six years and witnessed the rapid development of the healthcare system in the Greater Bay Area and our country first hand.  

     Innovation and technology is at the heart of the Hong Kong Government's policy priorities and we are constantly promoting collaborative programmes and initiatives with Mainland China and the rest of the world. We are home to respected clinical research centres recognised by the National Medical Products Administration of China and other regulatory bodies around the world. This dovetails with the new national facilitation measure that allows designated healthcare institutions operating in the Greater Bay Area to use eligible drugs and medical devices that are registered only in Hong Kong but not yet in Mainland China. Meanwhile, the InnoHK research clusters at Hong Kong Science Park bring together more than 30 prominent research institutes and industrial partners. One of the fellow speakers today, Professor Jean Yang, has been heavily involved in the Sydney hub of the Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health funded by InnoHK. I am sure that she will have a lot of wonderful experiences to share with all of you.

     With the engine for the development of life and health technology fired up and ready to go, Hong Kong needs top-notch enterprises and talents like you to take the wheel. Our Chief Executive announced an array of initiatives in his 2022 Policy Address targeted at attracting enterprises, investment and talents to Hong Kong. We set up the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises last December to attract those that are of strategic importance and value to Hong Kong by offering special facilitation measures. With no surprise, life and health technology is one of the target industries we are focusing on. We also welcome high-income talents and graduates from the world's top 100 universities, including eight universities in Australia, to make use of our Top Talent Pass Scheme to explore opportunities in Hong Kong. I understand that the fellow speakers at the panel discussion today are all heavyweight individuals in their fields, with a wealth of experience working with Hong Kong. I am sure that they will be additional advocates of all the offerings in our city.

     Ladies and gentlemen, with our high-quality healthcare system and excellent life and health research, Hong Kong will always be the irreplaceable destination for you to embark on an exciting healthcare venture. Thank you for having me today and I look forward to seeing you all in Hong Kong soon.

Ends/Thursday, April 27, 2023
Issued at HKT 16:45

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