Hong Kong releases its first blueprint for the development of traditional Chinese medicine.

On December 18, the Hong Kong SAR Government issued the "Blueprint for Traditional Chinese Medicine Development", outlining 20 actions in five key areas including Chinese medicine services, Chinese medicine profession, development of Chinese herbal medicine, inheritance of Chinese medicine culture, and promoting the global development of Chinese medicine. These actions include improving clinical Chinese medicine services, developing clinical guidelines, promoting cooperation between Chinese and Western medicine, and enhancing the role of Chinese medicine in primary healthcare. In addition, the Hong Kong Department of Health will establish a Chinese Medicine Development Supervisory Committee, with the Director of Health serving as chairman, to promote inter-departmental cooperation. The "Blueprint" sets out eight major goals and twenty actions, one of which is to improve clinical Chinese medicine services by establishing the position of Chinese medicine services within the healthcare system, enhancing service quality and clinical efficacy, and upgrading Chinese medicine services through technology. The Department of Health in Hong Kong aims to establish a cross-professional service system, deepen cross-professional collaboration in Chinese medicine services, integrate with the healthcare system and cross-institutional cooperation, and strengthen the role of Chinese medicine in primary healthcare. The "Blueprint" also aims to lead the development of the Chinese medicine profession by improving professional standards, building a more comprehensive system for training Chinese medicine talent, and promoting the global expansion of Hong Kong's Chinese medicine service model and international cooperation in Chinese herbal medicine standards and testing technology. The Director of Health of the Department of Health in Hong Kong, Dr. Constance Chan, stated that traditional Chinese medicine is a treasure of Chinese civilization and an important part of the Hong Kong healthcare system. Many residents trust and use traditional Chinese medicine. The Hong Kong SAR Government has implemented various policies and measures over the years, including training Chinese medicine talent, healthcare services, regulation, and standards. This is the first blueprint for the development of Chinese medicine, with the goal of providing residents with higher quality and more comprehensive healthcare services, improving health levels and services, and establishing Hong Kong as a gateway for Chinese medicine and herbal medicine to the world.