LCQ11: Assisting Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners in practising on Mainland
17.5.2023

Following is a question by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, in the Legislative Council today (May 17): Question: On assisting Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) in practising on the Mainland, will the Government inform this Council: (1) given that under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and its relevant supplementary agreements, a series of policies have been in place to enable Hong Kong CMPs to practise Chinese medicine and establish healthcare institutions on the Mainland, whether the Government has grasped the latest situation of Hong Kong CMPs currently practising Chinese medicine and establishing healthcare institutions on the Mainland, and what measures the authorities have put in place to assist Hong Kong CMPs in pursuing development on the Mainland; and (2) given that after the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province announced in 2021 the arrangement for recruiting CMPs from Hong Kong and Macao by public healthcare institutions in the Mainland cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), 10 Hong Kong CMPs have been recruited to work in public healthcare institutions in the Mainland cities, whether the authorities have grasped the response of Hong Kong CMPs to such an arrangement, and whether they will strengthen discussion with the relevant Mainland departments to further expand the arrangement, so that more Hong Kong CMPs can work in the national healthcare system, thereby promoting exchanges in Chinese medicine and providing opportunities for Hong Kong CMPs (especially the younger generation of CMPs) to pursue development in the Mainland cities of GBA; if so, of the details? Reply: President, The consolidated reply to the two parts of the question raised by Professor the Hon Chan Wing-kwong is as follows: Currently, under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and its relevant Supplements, a series of policies has been in place to facilitate Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) to practise Chinese medicine (CM) and establish healthcare institutions in the Mainland. Hong Kong registered CMPs employed by Mainland healthcare institutions may apply for a "short-term practising certificate for Hong Kong and Macao medical practitioners" to undertake short-term practice in the Mainland for a maximum duration of three years, subject to application for renewal upon expiry. Furthermore, Hong Kong registered CMPs fulfilling certain requirements and conditions may sit for the National Qualification Examination for Doctors (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for the purpose of obtaining a "Medical Practitioner's Qualification Certificate" issued by the Mainland. Hong Kong service suppliers may set up healthcare institutions (including CM clinics) in the Mainland in the form of wholly-owned entity, or in the form of equity or contractual joint venture with Mainland's healthcare institutions, companies, corporates or other economic organisations. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has all along been actively promoting and encouraging Hong Kong registered CMPs to practise in Mainland's public healthcare institutions under the framework of CEPA and the Construction Plan for the Chinese Medicine Highlands in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) (2020-2025) (the Construction Plan). As one of the measures benefitting Hong Kong under the Construction Plan, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province announced in 2021 the arrangement for recruiting Hong Kong registered CMPs by public healthcare institutions in the Mainland cities within the GBA, involving a total of seven public CM healthcare institutions as pilot sites in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai. So far, nine Hong Kong registered CMPs have been recruited and employed on a contract basis under the arrangement. Feedback from Hong Kong registered CMPs on the arrangement has been generally positive. The arrangement has enabled Hong Kong CMPs to practise in the national healthcare system, thereby expanding their scope for development and nurturing more talents in CM practice for Hong Kong. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) shows support in promoting Hong Kong CMPs to pursue development and exchanges in the Mainland. The HKSAR Government will continue to liaise with relevant authorities in Guangdong Province and explore further expansion of the scope of pilot sites. Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government will continue to encourage more Hong Kong CM talents to undertake exchange activities and training in the Mainland, including the Training Programme of Advanced Clinical Talents in Chinese Medicine supported by the NATCM, the CM training scholarship programmes of the Hospital Authority. The Government will also encourage greater participation of Hong Kong CMPs in various CM training programmes and award schemes in the Mainland, such as the award schemes for National Medicine Masters and National Famous Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, as well as talent nurturing programmes for Qi Huang Scholars and Qi Huang Young Scholars. The Chief Executive announced in his 2022 Policy Address a number of policy initiatives relating to the development of CM, including commencing formulation of a blueprint for the overall development of CM in collaboration with the CM sector, with a view to driving further the long-term development of CM in Hong Kong on all fronts in a more focused manner, in terms of areas such as CM service and industry development as well as collaboration with the Mainland, the GBA and the international community. Besides, the Chinese Medicine Development Fund will commission large-scale training, publicity and research projects in the future on strategic priority themes benefitting the development of CM as a whole. Subject to further discussion with the CM sector, the work under these projects may include promoting the brand image of Hong Kong's CM practice and CM drugs, good stories of Hong Kong, and enabling industry development in the GBA, the Mainland and overseas markets. The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close ties with the Mainland and international stakeholders, with the aim of deepening exchanges and co-operation with different places in the area of CM under the principles of complementarity and mutual benefits. The Government will leverage Hong Kong's traditional advantages in CM to bring into full play our vital role as the nation's gateway to the international markets for promoting inheritance, innovation and high-quality development of CM, thereby building a "Healthy Hong Kong" together for integration into the nation's strategy of "Healthy China".