The Under Secretary for Health, Dr Libby Lee, chaired the third meeting of the Steering Committee on Health and Medical Innovation Development today (June 12) to have in-depth discussions on various key policy initiatives for promoting Hong Kong's development into an international health and medical innovation hub, including a roadmap for the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation (CMPR) and towards the adoption of "primary evaluation", proposals for establishing the Real-World Study and Application Centre (RWSAC), and the work on promoting clinical trial development.

     A representative of the Department of Health (DH) reported on the latest developments in establishing the CMPR, and the strategic preparatory work for its long-term development into an internationally recognised regulatory authority for drugs and medical products, including the process for becoming a regulatory member of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, with a view to gaining international recognition for drugs approved by the CMPR. The DH also proposed that Hong Kong should adopt a phased approach in advancing the "primary evaluation" system for new drugs. The Government will put forward the timetable for the establishment of the CMPR and the roadmap towards the adoption of "primary evaluation" within this month.

     At the meeting, members were also briefed on the proposals for establishing the RWSAC. The Government is seeking to establish the RWSAC by the end of this year. The Centre aims to enhance the access to and application of health and medical databases, and to foster collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland in relevant areas, particularly in integrating real-world data generated through the special measure of using Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), to achieve three major objectives: (1) to accelerate the research and development (R&D), approval and market launch of innovative medical products; (2) to promote the application of real-world data in support of evidence-based decision-making, thereby optimising treatment strategies and enhancing healthcare system efficiency; and (3) to develop Hong Kong into a leading region and global hub for real-world studies, with a view to attracting more international collaboration and investment.

     In addition, members were briefed on the progress of the key initiatives undertaken by the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute (GBAICTI). Officially established in the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone in November last year, the GBAICTI has been actively advancing a number of clinical trial projects, including strengthening clinical trial collaboration with the two local medical schools, working jointly with the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center (BAY TRIAL) to promote the development of clinical trials and the biomedical industry, as well as establishing the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform with concerted efforts.

     Members endorsed the above proposals and policy directions, and offered constructive comments. Dr Lee said, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Steering Committee members for their invaluable insight to advise on the health and medical innovation development initiatives, and for recognising the direction of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's work. The Policy Address has clearly stated the Government's commitment to developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub. We are pressing ahead with the reform on the regulatory mechanism of drugs and medical devices, and to facilitate the translation and application of biomedical innovations. The timetable for the establishment of the CMPR and the roadmap towards the adoption of the "primary evaluation" will be announced shortly, along with the RWSAC which is targeted to be established by the end of this year, fully demonstrating our determination and operability to promote health and medical innovation. In addition, the co-ordinated development of the GBAICTI with BAY TRIAL in the Shenzhen Park under the 'one zone, two parks' model also marked a new chapter in cross-boundary collaboration.

     "Hong Kong possesses the institutional advantages of 'one country, two systems' and professional strengths in the healthcare sector, providing unique conditions for advancing health and medical innovation. This strategic positioning is strongly supported by national policies, of which the 14th Five-Year Plan expressed clear support for Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology centre, while the Resolution of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee also pointed out the need of further reforming the medical and healthcare systems, and improving the mechanisms for supporting the development of innovative drugs and medical equipment. The HKSAR Government will leverage Hong Kong's unique advantages to expedite the provision of advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to patients, and to promote co-ordinated development with other GBA cities, with the ultimate goal of bringing the benefits of good drugs and R&D to Hong Kong."

     Established last year and chaired by the Secretary for Health, the Steering Committee on Health and Medical Innovation and Development comprises of members from relevant government bureaux and departments, institutions and local medical schools. The Steering Committee is responsible for co-ordinating and advancing work related to health and medical innovation, with a view to taking forward the policy of developing Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub as set out in the Policy Address.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to the press releases issued by the banks listed below relating to fraudulent websites, internet banking login screens, phishing emails or other scams, which have been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlinks to the press releases are available on the HKMA website.
 

 
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the scams concerned, should contact the relevant bank with the information provided in the corresponding press release, and report the matter to the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Attention TV and radio duty announcers:
      
     Please broadcast the following special announcement as soon as possible, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     A fire broke out at a recycling site in Ping Che, Fanling, at 4.17pm today (June 12). The Fire Services Department is conducting a firefighting operation. 

     Members of the public who are being affected by the smoke and an unusual odour carried by the wind are advised to close their doors and windows and stay calm.

     The Government welcomes the publication of jurisdictional profiles by the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRS Foundation) today (June 12), which confirms Hong Kong as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the International Financial Reporting Standards – Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards).  This demonstrates Hong Kong's commitment to enhancing the transparency of information on sustainable development in capital markets, enabling investors to make investment decisions and promoting global capital flows.
 
     The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, "The IFRS Foundation's confirmation of Hong Kong as among the initial set of jurisdictions having set a target of fully adopting the ISSB Standards affirms Hong Kong's efforts and determination in supporting and promoting a common international language in sustainability disclosures. It also demonstrates Hong Kong's strengths in the field of sustainable finance, helping to consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international sustainable finance hub. As a leading international financial centre, Hong Kong will continue to be at the forefront in aligning with international standards and promoting market best practices."
 
     The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants published in December last year the Hong Kong Sustainability Disclosure Standards (Hong Kong Standards) that are fully aligned with the ISSB Standards, with an effective date of August 1, 2025. The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) also launched in the same month last year the Roadmap on Sustainability Disclosure in Hong Kong (Roadmap), which sets out Hong Kong's approach to require publicly accountable entities (PAEs) to adopt the ISSB Standards, and provides a well-defined pathway for large PAEs to fully adopt the ISSB Standards no later than 2028. The FSTB will continue to collaborate with financial regulators and stakeholders to promote the development of a comprehensive sustainability disclosure ecosystem in Hong Kong through a holistic approach and support the implementation of the Hong Kong Standards. The full text of the Roadmap can be viewed at the FSTB website (www.fstb.gov.hk/fsb/en/publication/report/docs/FSTB_Roadmap2024_eBooklet_EN.pdf).

During the event, SWHCC will be transformed into a fun and interactive place decorated for families. Children can create their own artwork at the "Draw and Glow: Creative Light Exploration" zone by projecting their drawings on transparent films onto a screen and seeing them come to life.
 
The event also features three ticketed parent-child workshops. In the "Where Is Ding-Ding? The Story Begins!" workshop, illustrator Jess Lau and a storyteller will lead participants into the world of Lau's original picture book "Where is Tram Ding-Ding?", using images and light designs to embark on a magical journey. In the "The New World of Little Tram Ding-Ding – Stop Motion Animation Workshop", Lau will lead participants to create their own story spaces through collage and painting, shoot a simple stop-motion animation, and unleash their creativity. Combining sensory experience and film language, the "Tiny Bodies, Earth Memories – First Cinematic Experience for Toddler" workshop will be hosted by film director Tsang Tsui-shan, who will transform light and shadows into an interactive playground for toddlers and parents to explore together.
 
www.urbtix.hk). For programme details, please visit the website www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=77.