Secretary for Health of Hong Kong: Traditional medicine has greater room for development in technology

China News Service, Beijing, October 18 (Reporters Li Chun, Ma Shuaisha, Zhou Xin) During the 2026 World Congress of Traditional Medicine, Lu Chongmao, Director of the Medical and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said in an interview in Beijing that traditional medicine must not only inherit the wisdom of ancestors, but also develop. In the future, traditional medicine will have greater room for development in science and technology.

Hong Kong has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. Lu Chongmao said that this has a lot to do with the fact that Hong Kong’s medical system includes both Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine services. There are approximately 11,000 Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong, most of whom provide primary medical services in community outpatient clinics. The Hong Kong SAR government strongly supports the development of traditional Chinese medicine and has established traditional Chinese medicine clinics and teaching and research centers in 18 districts.

Hong Kong's first traditional Chinese medicine hospital was officially put into service at the end of last year and is responsible for medical services, teaching and training, scientific research and other aspects. Lu Chongmao said that since the launch of the service, the Hong Kong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has been increasing outpatient clinic numbers to meet residents' demand for TCM services. "In the past few months, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has increased its number of outpatient clinics four times."

He also said that the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital will also launch 24-hour inpatient services by the end of this year. Traditional Chinese medicine has certain advantages in treating certain diseases, and the hospital will also carry out some specialized disease projects based on this. Through the first Chinese medicine hospital in Hong Kong, Chinese medicine services will be upgraded from the primary medical level to the second and third tier medical systems, allowing Hong Kong citizens to enjoy better and more comprehensive medical services.

Talking about the development trend of traditional medicine, Lu Chongmao said that traditional medicine should not only inherit the wisdom of ancestors, but also develop. In the future, traditional medicine will have greater room for development in science and technology. In particular, the use of big data and artificial intelligence technology can assist the standardization process of traditional Chinese medicine, apply the diagnosis and treatment experience of famous traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to more levels, and benefit more patients.

He also said that under "one country, two systems", Hong Kong can promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine in terms of standards, supervision, testing, clinical trials, trade and finance, and also has certain international advantages.