NHC vice-minister meets with health secretary of HKSAR government

Cao Xuetao, vice-minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), met with the visiting delegation led by Lo Chung-mau, health secretary of the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on March 16 in Beijing.

Cao reviewed the close cooperation between the mainland and the HKSAR in the fight against COVID-19 over the past three years, affirming that the situation of curbing COVID-19 in the two locations has improved and entered a normal stage.

He also briefed the delegation on the recent key health tasks on the national level, suggested that high-level communication and professional exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong be institutionalized and normalized, and said he hopes Hong Kong will contribute to the building of a community of health for all with the support of the motherland.

Lo thanked the central government for its firm support in COVID-19 prevention and control and the development of healthcare services in the HKSAR, noting that he hopes the NHC will continue to provide support in cross-border medical services and the high-quality development of hospitals, so as to push forward Hong Kong's integration into the overall national health development.

The two sides also exchanged views on international certification of hospital quality, the research and development of biopharmaceutical technology, exchanges of professional talents, as well as the prevention and control of chronic diseases.