The Hong Kong government released its first Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint on Thursday, aiming to provide high-quality traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) healthcare and establish Hong Kong as a bridgehead for TCM’s bid to go global.

The blueprint spans across TCM’s services, professions, development, cultural inheritance and globalization, with eight core objectives, including optimizing high-quality clinical services and establishing an interprofessional service system, as well as 20 action items, which include clarifying the positioning of TCM services in the city’s healthcare system and building a more comprehensive TCM talent development system.

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At a press conference on Thursday, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said that as an integral part of Hong Kong’s healthcare system, TCM is trusted by residents.

Lo said that the blueprint aligns with the country’s policies on TCM, considers Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” advantage, and aims to promote the city’s integration into the nation’s TCM development.

“The blueprint is not merely a policy document, but also a manifestation of our aspirations for the future of TCM,” said Vincent Chung Chi-ho, commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development in the Health Bureau.

Chung added that over the past few years, about 400 in-depth consultations have been conducted, extensively gathering valuable insights from the TCM industry, experts, and all sectors of society. This was to ensure that the blueprint would not only align with national strategic directions but also meet Hong Kong’s practical needs.

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“Our goal is to breathe new life into ancient wisdom, enabling TCM to better serve Hong Kong residents and contribute to the nation’s grand strategy of promoting TCM globally,” Chung said.

The city’s TCM sector has seen many breakthroughs this year, including its hosting of the 7th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Conference on the Inheritance, Innovation, and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the inaugurations of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the permanent premises of the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute.

Fu Yinglin contributed to the story.