The fifth International Healthcare Week (IHW), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opens, featuring two flagship events. The sixth Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) is being held (11 and 12 May) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) under the theme “Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs”. The summit convenes over 90 influential international healthcare officials, research and medical experts, start-ups, investors, and business leaders from related industries to explore global healthcare trends, with a focus on frontier technologies, AI breakthroughs, pandemic preparedness, silver health, as well as innovation in Chinese medicine, in alignment with the National 15th Five-Year Plan. Another flagship event, the 17th Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair), also opens today (11 to 13 May) under the theme “Innovations Boosting Smart Health Experience”, featuring some 300 exhibitors from 10 countries and regions. The Fair spotlights MedTech, GeronTech and Preventive Healthcare, showcasing the latest medical innovations integrating artificial intelligence and robotics, fostering global exchange in healthcare innovation and reinforcing Hong Kong’s strengths as a research and commercial hub.
Prof Frederick Ma, Chairman of the HKTDC, said in his welcome remarks: “There is nowhere better than Hong Kong, as a major international hub for financing and innovation, to explore areas of global collaboration in the health arena, and to showcase related business opportunities for investors and project owners. As a superconnector and super value-adder, Hong Kong has a long track record of helping companies and innovations break through. The theme we have adopted this year, ‘Fuelling Healthcare Breakthroughs’, highlights this vital role. The ASGH was created to nurture partnerships and knowledge exchange that can drive real change and create a better world. This year’s agenda also complements the healthcare priorities set out in China’s new 15th Five-Year Plan, supporting national development. Among the diverse topics at ASGH 2026 are sessions examining AI-enabled diagnosis and treatment, biomedical innovation, the growth of the silver health economy, traditional Chinese medicine and much more.”
John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, said in his opening remarks: “Hong Kong, under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, is investing in healthcare and, in doing so, investing in the future of our people and our economy. Our status as a leading hub for scientific innovation is unrivalled in Asia. And our strengths are magnified by our core position in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. That is the cluster city development integrating 11 dynamic cities in southern China. It boasts a collective economy that rivals that of the world's 10th-largest nation. In pursuit of medical innovation, Hong Kong complements the strategies set out in the National 15th Five-Year Plan. The Plan optimises an evaluation and approval mechanism for innovative drugs and supports their clinical application. The goal is to develop Hong Kong into a health and medical innovation hub. Central to this ambition is the rapid expansion of our clinical trial capabilities, the vital engine that drives biomedical R&D from the laboratory to the bedside.”
Prof Zeng Yixin, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, delivered special remarks: “Hong Kong has extensive experience in undergraduate medical education and post-graduate training, and enjoys a strong reputation in the Asia-Pacific region. Medical talent training system on the mainland is also undergoing deep reforms and striving to move towards high-quality development. Hong Kong has many experiences and practices that are worthy of in-depth exchange and reference, which will certainly promote mutual enhancement and progress.”
