Hong Kong deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and renowned neuroscientist Nancy Ip Yuk-yu poses for a photo in front of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, during the ongoing annual gathering of the NPC, which began on March 4, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong deputy to the nation’s top legislature and renowned neuroscientist Nancy Ip Yuk-yu said she hopes the country can establish more research centers to study healthy aging.
She added that it was important to implement national action plans for improving brain health and roll out more support measures for medical and healthcare industries – all of which would boost the development of life science.
Ip, who helms the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), said she believes that Hong Kong can become a world-class hub of life science talents.
These measures are among Ip’s package of proposals submitted to the annual gathering of the National People’s Congress, which began in Beijing on Tuesday.
Noting Hong Kong’s unique strengths, Nancy Ip Yuk-yu said she envisaged developing the city into a world-class destination for life and health technology talents
Explaining her focus on life science, Ip said it is an area of profound strategic significance as aging is a core challenge that affects the whole world. Apart from tackling the aging problem, the development of life science can also improve the country’s overall medical service quality and the life qualities of its people, and boost economic growth and scientific innovation, Ip said.
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Ip’s proposals include measures to promote the development of the life science and healthcare industries, including establishing more research centers focusing on studying healthy aging, which is to help people maintain good health and life quality in old age, implementing nationwide action plans on brain health, and advancing the development of the medical and health industries through industrial and financial support.
Noting Hong Kong’s unique strengths, Ip said she envisaged developing the city into a world-class destination for life and health technology talents. Hong Kong’s international background, excellent education resources and advanced medical system could all make a contribution, Ip added.
Nancy Ip Yuk-yu (center), president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, poses for a photograph with other members of a research team that developed a blood test to enable the management and treatment of Alzheimer's disease early, at a press conference at the Hong Kong Science Park on Feb 19, 2024. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Ip proposed building a national-level scientific research platform in Hetao to step up in-depth collaboration between researchers from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong
Citing HKUST as an example, Ip said the university is planning to establish a medical school to promote the progress of medical research and clinical applications through the integration of advanced technology and medicine. She said she hoped this would make positive contributions to the Health China Initiative, a national blueprint issued in 2016 to enhance the country’s development in areas such as public health services, environment management and the medical industry, and food and drug safety. The guidelines of the initiative include disease prevention and chronic disease management and high-quality treatment.
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Led by Ip, a research team from HKUST has developed a highly accurate blood test for early detection of Alzheimer's Disease and mild cognitive impairment, which was introduced in the city’s private hospitals in July 2023.
Ip also called attention to the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, calling it a great platform with excellent geographical advantages. She proposed building a national-level scientific research platform in Hetao to step up in-depth collaboration between researchers from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.
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She also reaffirmed her confidence in Hong Kong’s ability to undertake more national research projects in the future, saying she believes more Hong Kong scientists, who have strength, enthusiasm and motivation, will be able to unleash their potential through these valuable opportunities.
