Ma Xiaowei, minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), speaks via video link on June 15 at a ceremony held to celebrate the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's primary medical service development. [Photo/nhc.gov.cn]

Ma Xiaowei, minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), delivered a video speech at a ceremony held to celebrate the primary medical service development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on June 15 on the occasion of the upcoming 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

He spoke highly of the progress made in the reform and development of the HKSAR's medical system, adding that over the past five years, the HKSAR government has prioritized disease prevention in health promotion, committed itself to advancing primary medical services, opened district health centers throughout the HKSAR, and improved residents' personal health management. The SAR's primary healthcare system also plays an important role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

He also briefed on the progress of primary medical services on the mainland and expressed willingness to further exchanges and cooperation with the HKSAR's health community and to continue to support the development of its medical system.

Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor attended the ceremony and delivered an opening speech. Around 600 people, including delegates of international organizations such as the World Health Organization, heads of departments of the HKSAR government and related experts in the HKSAR, participated in the event online or on site.