Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at the Hospital Authority Convention 2026 Opening Ceremony today (May 11):

Deputy Director-General Li Wei (Deputy Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the National Health Commission), Chairman Fan (Chairman of the Hospital Authority, Mr Henry Fan), Secretary CM Lo (Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau), Chief Executive Libby Lee (Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Libby Lee), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
 
     Good morning. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Hospital Authority Convention this year, marking the Convention's 30th edition.

     In keeping with the landmark anniversary, this year's event features a record-high 75 sessions throughout the three-day Convention, according us with the precious opportunity to hear from some 210 distinguished speakers joining us from all over the world.

     The Convention's scientific programme will focus on the Hospital Authority's core values, namely: people-centred care, professional service, committed staff and teamwork. Plenaries, symposiums and special sessions in the next three days include healthcare and health technology advances, data-driven and evidence-based clinical practices, sustainable healthcare, research and clinical excellence, medical education, non-communicable diseases, global talent and a great deal more.

     As President Xi Jinping has said, "Health is the most important indicator of people's happiness." To bring "happiness" to all, the Government will continue to embrace innovation in healthcare and medical services, while expanding co-operation in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond, advancing the goal of a "Healthy China".

     In the furtherance of this strategy, we have been taking forward a number of initiatives. For example, the GBA Clinical Trial Collaboration Platform and the Real-World Study and Application Centre were set up last December. The Platform enables pharmaceutical companies to conduct trials simultaneously in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, accelerating clinical trials for rare-disease drugs, high-end cancer drugs and such advances as gene therapies; while the Centre aims to promote the standardisation of clinical data across the GBA.

     Going forward, we will set up the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation by the end of this year. The Government will enact legislation to empower the Centre to regulate Western and Chinese medicines and establish a statutory framework for the regulation of medical devices, supporting Hong Kong's rising role as an internationally recognised regulatory authority for medical products.

     Furthermore, the Government will implement "primary evaluation" for new drug registration in phases, beginning this year. We will also expedite the "1+" mechanism for new drugs, piloting priority evaluation and approval of innovative drugs with urgent clinical use recommended by the Hospital Authority. Our goal is to accelerate patient access to the most advanced treatments.

     To achieve this goal, the Hospital Authority will soon establish an Office for Introducing Innovative Drugs and Medical Devices to identify the needs and benefits of innovative drug treatments for local patients. The Office will liaise with manufacturers of innovative drugs and medical devices, promoting the "1+" mechanism for registering drugs and medical devices that are cost-effective and beneficial to patients.

     The Hospital Authority is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's healthcare system, providing about 90 per cent of our city's healthcare services. It has achieved high international levels of healthcare quality and plays a pivotal role in both local and national health and medical development.

     The Hospital Authority champions the advancement of smart hospital development and nurturing a smart workforce. It is applying artificial intelligence in clinical workflow, from tomography imaging analysis and digital pathology to simultaneous interpretation services for consultations. AI is also being used to provide clinical-decision support and early detection of disease deterioration, as well as to improve the accuracy of cancer diagnoses and streamline treatment planning.

     The Hospital Authority is also making significant strides in the internationalisation of national hospital accreditation standards. To date, four public hospitals in Hong Kong have gained accreditation to China's International Hospital Accreditation Standards, with more in the pipeline. The Hospital Authority has also established chest pain centres and stroke centres in accordance with national accreditation standards.

     The Hospital Authority continues to invest in its greatest asset: its people. The Mainland Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes flourish in Shanghai and Beijing, in cities across the GBA and throughout the Mainland. Our Global Healthcare Talent Scheme also offers exchange opportunities for professional enhancement. Through collaboration and exchanges, we are building a resilient healthcare future.

     This year marks the beginning of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan. I am confident that the Hospital Authority, with its much-celebrated achievements, will continue to strengthen its services and work with the Government in drawing up Hong Kong's first five-year plan.

     Last but not least, my thanks go to the Hospital Authority for its continuous commitment to its mission of "Helping People Stay Healthy" and for organising this meaningful Convention. Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you all a stimulating, rewarding experience at the Convention and a pleasant stay in Hong Kong. Thank you very much.

Ends/Monday, May 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:30

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