Press Release

 

The 2-day (25-26 November)-12th Pong Ding Yuen International Symposium on Chinese Medicine (referred as the “Symposium”), organized by the School of Chinese Medicine (referred as the “School of Chinese Medicine”) of the LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, has been successfully concluded, attracting over 500 participants from the academia and industry. With the theme of "Globalization of Chinese Medicine and Integrative Medicine", over 80 renowned experts of the field of Chinese medicine and integrative medicine, and researchers from both local and overseas prominent organizations were invited to deliver talks, engage in discussion and display poster presentations.

 

It is with much privilege that four honorable officiating guests have delivered opening remarks at opening ceremony. Mr Leung Chun-ying, GBM, GBS, JP, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Advisor and Board Member of the TCM All-sector Hong Kong Centre, remarked that Chinese medicine is regarded as the precious treasure, in light of the world's evolving environment and intense global competition, we should strive hard as well as enhancing the competitiveness and inheritance of Chinese medicine, as to pave way for the flourishing growth of Chinese medicine, healing people in sick, nourishing one’s wellbeing and facilitating its entry to international arena. Dr Ko Wing-man, non-official member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, commented in his speech that, leveraging on Hong Kong’s distinct strength of “one country, two systems”, there has been a solid foundation for the internationalization of Chinese medicine. The HKSAR Government has been committed to promote the scientific research and branding of Chinese medicines, and mapping out the co-operation framework in Chinese medicine with the Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macao, thereby facilitating the long-term development of Chinese medicine.

 

Professor Gong Peng, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development), The University of Hong Kong said that HKU, an internationalized university, possesses the platform integrating not only Eastern and Western cultures, and science as well. Riding on such optimal platform, the integration of Chinese and Western medicines, and the modernization and internationalization of Chinese medicines could be expedited. Professor Lau Chak-sing, Dean, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, HKU, echoed that the Faculty will continually support the robust development of the School of Chinese Medicine and train up competent Chinese medicine professionals, coping with the market demand in the wake of the first public-funded Chinese Medicine hospital in Tseung Kwan O being in service by 2025 tentatively.

 

Professor Feng Yibin, Director of School of Chinese Medicine, HKU, Chairman of the Organising Committee and Academic Committee of the Symposium expressed his gratitude to the Pong’s family for their unwavering support over the past years, as to contribute to the success of the symposium. He also extended his sincere thanks to the guests, local and overseas experts for participating in the academic exchange, and sharing the joy of the School’s 25th anniversary.

 

Besides, Ms Lee Lynn, Deputy Director-General, Coordination Department, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG), Professor Tong Xiaolin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Director of the Institute of Metabolic Diseases of Guang'anmen Hospital, Professor Qi Shi, National TCM Master, Dr Lee Ha-yun, Libby, Under Secretary for Health, Health Bureau, HKSAR Government, Professor Lee Chack Fan, Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, and Former Chairperson, Committee of Management of the School of Chinese Medicine, HKU, Mr David Pong and Mr Dario Pong, the representatives from the Pong’s Family, Dr Chan Wing Kwong, Legislative Council Member, President, Hong Kong Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners Association, Mr Li Ying Sang, Tommy, President, The Federation of the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Chinese Medicines Traders Association, Mr Ho Ka Ki, Dominic, Acting Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development, Health Bureau, Dr Fong Ho Ching, Edmund, Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine), Department of Health, Ms Rowena Wong How Wan, Chief Manager (Chinese Medicine) of Hospital Authority are also amongst the officiating guests.

 

The School of Chinese Medicine organized this highly acclaimed symposium for the first time after the pandemic, attracting a vast amount of academics, physicians, Chinese medicine practitioners, researchers, and students. Prominent experts and scholars from Mainland China, the USA, Australia, Germany, Singapore, Macau, and Hong Kong shared their research achievements and conducted fruitful discussion. Distinguished speakers included Professor Tong Xiaolin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, served as the keynote speaker, alongside medical experts from leading universities worldwide, and representatives of renowned Chinese medicine institutions in Mainland China. Comprising different themes, the first day of the symposium included four topics namely, Important Directions and Key Issues in Chinese Medicine and Integrative Medicine, Advanced Research Progress in Chinese Medicine and Integrative Medicine, International Chinese Medicine Education Forum, and Research Achievement and Translational Research. The Young Scientist Forum and Research Postgraduate Student Forum were held on the second day.

 

With the generous donation from the Pong Ding Yuen's family, the Pong Ding Yuen Endowment Fund for Education and Research in Chinese-Western Medicine was established in 2000 through which the Symposium could be held successfully. The primary objective of the fund is to support international conferences, seminars and promotions of knowledge in the field of Chinese medicine. Being the 12th year this year, the Symposium assembled elites of the respective fields exploring the direction of Chinese medicine development, and shed lights on the bright future of integrated Chinese and Western medicine.

 

For more information about the School of Chinese Medicine, HKUMed, please visit website at http://scm.hku.hk