Health authorities on the Chinese mainland and in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region inked two agreements on Tuesday to foster the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and deepen cooperation in cancer research.

The deals were witnessed by Minister of the National Health Commission Lei Haichao, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Zhou Ji and HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Signed by Commissioner of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Yu Yanhong and Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau, the renewed cooperation agreement on TCM aims to deepen cooperation between the two places and foster the inheritance and innovative development of TCM, according to an HKSAR government statement.

The deal also aims to advance the development of TCM in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and push forward the implementation of the Chinese Medicine Development Blueprint in the SAR.

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Meanwhile, the framework agreement on collaboration between the National Cancer Center and the Health Bureau, signed by Lo and the center’s director He Jie, intends to deepen collaboration in basic cancer research, screening, early diagnosis and treatment, public education outreach and other areas.

The center and the bureau will share their latest developments and promote experience sharing on cancer prevention and control policy formulation as well as big data applications, in a bid to enhance the professional standard in cancer prevention and treatment for both sides, according to the statement.

Expressing his gratitude to the country for its continuous support to the HKSAR’s work in healthcare, Lee reiterated that the two agreements will further strengthen mutual cooperation and advance high-quality healthcare development in the city.

“Hong Kong will continue to fully capitalize on its unique advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland and being closely connected to the world to foster healthcare cooperation within the Greater Bay Area, with a view to contributing to propelling the important national strategy of 'Healthy China',” Lee said in the statement.

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Hoping that the agreements can enhance the well-being of the people of the two places, Lo pointed out that the National Cancer Center possesses extensive experience in cancer prevention and control to foster in-depth cooperation in various areas.

On the same day, Lee also met with Lei at Government House to exchange views on deepening medical and healthcare cooperation between the two places.