Press Release
The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong signs a strategic collaboration agreement with TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting in Germany to demonstrate Hong Kong’s role as a window to internationalisation of Chinese medicine
Thursday, 9 January 2025
Mr Huen Wong, Chairman of the Board of Directors of HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Company Limited, and Dr Cheung Wai-lun, Project Director of the Chinese Medicine Hospital Project Office from the Health Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HHB), participated in the signing ceremony of a strategic collaboration agreement between The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK) and TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting (TCM-KBK) in Germany yesterday (8 January).
Founded in 1991, TCM-KBK is the first officially recognised traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Germany and a leading institution in Chinese medicine in Europe. In 2008, it received the International Award of Contribution to Chinese Medicine from the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies.
The strategic collaboration is a significant milestone, as it will effectively expand the international connections of CMHHK, foster exchange between the East and the West, and establish partnerships. The signing of this agreement will enable Hong Kong to play a pivotal role as the nation’s window to the world, support the country’s initiative to promote the global reach of Chinese medicine, and reinforce CMHHK’s role as the flagship institution in Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.
The signing ceremony took place during a delegation visit to TCM-KBK with senior representatives from CMHHK, HHB, and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Key members of the delegation included Mr Huen Wong, Dr Cheung Wai-lun, Dr Vincent Chung Chi-ho, Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development of HHB, Ms Christine Chow, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary of HKBU, and Professor Bian Zhaoxiang, Hospital Chief Executive of CMHHK.
The agreement was signed by Mr Huen Wong and Mr Anton Staudinger, General Manager of TCM-KBK, with Dr Cheung Wai-lun, Dr Vincent Chung Chi-ho, Ms Christine Chow, Ms Christina Staudinger, Managing Director of TCM-KBK, and Professor Dai Jingzhang, Former Director of TCM-KBK, witnessing the event.
“This collaboration will unite Chinese medicine experts from Germany and Hong Kong. They will work together to develop clinical pathways, enhancing talent exchange and promoting the planning of evidence-based clinical service informed by scientific research in Chinese medicine. This collaboration will provide essential reference and inspire innovations for the operation of CMHHK, as well as Chinese medicine practices in other parts of the world,” said Mr Wong.
“In developing The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong project, the HKSAR Government aims not only to promote the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong but also to leverage the strengths of our healthcare system to promote Chinese medicine internationally. The signing of a collaboration agreement with TCM-Klinik Bad Kötzting marks the first step for The Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong in establishing an international network. It will also facilitate the exploration of further developing Hong Kong’s model of integrated Chinese and Western medicine as an international reference,” said Dr Cheung.
Under the agreement, the collaboration between CMHHK and TCM-KBK involves the exchange of Chinese medicine talents, promoting the development of clinical applications of the interaction between Chinese and Western medicines, and establishing a scientific research network for Chinese medicine. Both hospitals will jointly formulate Chinese medicine clinical pathways and enhance international collaboration between Chinese medicine and other health professions. They will facilitate talent exchange by inviting Chinese medicine experts from TCM-KBK to participate in clinical training and research projects at CMHHK, while also organising exchange visits for CMHHK clinical and research staff to TCM-KBK.
The two parties will advance the clinical application of herb-drug interactions by collecting and analysing clinical data on the interaction between Chinese and Western medicines. Furthermore, they will establish a research collaboration network to promote clinical research in Chinese medicine.
During their visit to TCM-KBK, the delegation introduced to the German representatives CMHHK, which is scheduled to commence service in phases starting in late 2025, and discussed future collaboration opportunities. The German representatives also shared TCM-KBK’s experiences in delivering Chinese medicine services, education, and research. The delegation later met with representatives from the Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Germany to explore potential collaborations on Chinese medicine scientific research.
CMHHK, located in Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O, is expected to commence operations in phases from the end of this year. It is being constructed by the Government, and HKBU was selected as the Contractor in June 2021 through a tendering process. Subsequently, HKBU registered “HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Company Limited” as the Operator in accordance with the requirements of the service deed, which is responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of CMHHK. CMHHK will provide quality Chinese medicine services to the public and serve as a hub for clinical teaching and research in the field.
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