On Oct 17, Huang Guo, commissioner of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), met with a delegation from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) led by Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau and Director of Health Dr. Ronald Lam Man-kin in Beijing, who were in the capital to attend the World Conference on Traditional Medicine 2026.

The two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including further strengthening drug regulatory cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and supporting Hong Kong in developing its drug regulatory capacity.

Huang said that the NMPA will, as always, support Hong Kong in strengthening its drug regulatory capacity. He expressed the hope that the establishment of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation would provide an opportunity to deepen mutual trust in drug regulation between the two sides and help Hong Kong leverage its strengths to better integrate into and serve the overall national development agenda.

Lo said that Hong Kong's medical products regulatory authorities are advancing the implementation of the SAR's first Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026-30) and comprehensively deepening reform of drug and medical device regulation. He noted that going forward, Hong Kong will maintain close communication with the NMPA to help promote high-quality development of the pharmaceutical industry. Lam briefed attendees on the preparatory work and mandate of the upcoming Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and its priority tasks ahead.

The controller-designate of the Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation and leading officials from relevant departments of the NMPA were also present.