Edward Yau: Develop Hong Kong into an international hub for medical innovation to drive biomedical research and development towards clinical applications.

On May 11, John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, stated during his speech at the 2026 Asia Medical and Health Summit that Hong Kong is a leading innovation center in Asia and a core of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. In terms of medical innovation, Hong Kong actively aligns with the strategies of the national "14th Five-Year Plan," including optimizing the approval mechanism for innovative drugs and supporting their clinical applications, with the goal of developing Hong Kong into an international hub for medical innovation. To achieve this vision, the key lies in accelerating clinical trial capacity and promoting the transition of biomedical research from the laboratory to the clinic. John Lee Ka-chiu mentioned that the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Institute" established by the SAR government is already operating in the Hong Kong Science Park. Additionally, the "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trials Center" in Shenzhen is also in operation, utilizing the resources of over 87 million people in the Greater Bay Area to coordinate clinical trials and bring new medical technologies to patients faster. John Lee Ka-chiu also stated that the SAR government will expedite the "1+" new drug approval mechanism, prioritizing the approval of innovative drugs recommended by the Hospital Authority for the treatment of severe or rare diseases to speed up patient access to the most advanced treatments. The "Hong Kong Drug and Medical Device Regulatory Authority" is expected to be established by the end of this year, gradually establishing a comprehensive approval system to help Hong Kong become a reliable hub for medical drugs and devices and enhance Hong Kong's credibility in the international regulatory field. It is understood that the theme of this forum is "Driving New Breakthroughs in Medical Health," bringing together over 90 guests from 15 countries and regions to share valuable experiences and the latest developments in public health, medical technology, international business cooperation, and investment, discussing the prospects and business opportunities of the medical and health industry. Ma Shi-hang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, emphasized that more mainland pharmaceutical companies are participating in the forum, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a "super connector" and a "super value-added player" to promote global medical cooperation.