The senior health official was underlining Beijing’s backing for local pandemic measures amid an increasing daily coronavirus tally on the mainland despite stringent controls and a zero-Covid approach.
On Wednesday, China reported 8,176 local infections, a sharp rise from the end of last month when some 1,000 daily cases were confirmed. Hong Kong separately logged 5,068 cases, 498 of which were imported, as well as 13 new deaths.
The National Health Commission’s Cao Xuetao addresses the summit audience in Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong
In Cao’s keynote speech at the summit, he touted mainland efforts in “guarding the bottom line” of preventing large-scale outbreaks despite the Covid-19 resurgence placing huge pressure on mainland healthcare systems.
He also hailed Hong Kong’s “precise” pandemic control approach that protected lives and minimised the impact on the local economy and livelihoods.
In the long run, Cao said, Beijing would continue to support Hong Kong to facilitate cross-border exchanges of medical professionals, as well as explore how the city could better contribute to the country’s healthcare blueprint.
Both Cao and Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu were speaking at the two-day Asia Summit on Global Health, co-organised by the city government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), featuring some 80 speakers locally and internationally.
Addressing an audience of officials, medical experts and investors, Lee gave assurances the local government would continue to seek room to relax social-distancing and travel curbs in an “orderly and progressive manner”, after making “substantive progress” in doing so.
“We’re working on specific and dedicated plans to ensure major events and economic activities can be held smoothly to open up Hong Kong to bring a world of business back as quickly and as safely as we can,” he said in his opening remarks.
Hong Kong hosted a high-level bankers’ summit last week, marking its reopening to the world. Photo: Sam Tsang
The chief executive cited the recent high-level bankers’ summit and FinTech Week, attended by more than 200 financiers from 120 global firms, as well as the global health summit and the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament which had returned “in a blaze of blessed glory” with 65,000 revellers over the weekend.
The events had marked Hong Kong’s efforts to regain its footing on the international stage after nearly three years of isolation from the rest of the world amid the pandemic.
Hong Kong leader John Lee says authorities are assessing if there is more room to ease Covid curbs. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Lee said Covid-19 had “wreaked havoc” on humanity and “shaken” economies, businesses and communities, stressing that uncertainties brought on by the pandemic still existed worldwide, while diseases such as monkeypox and melioidosis continued to pose threats to public health.
“The development of public health, thus, indeed warrants a new course in health care for humanity,” he said, stressing “the importance of collaboration at every level”.
“More than just a slogan, the theme of today’s summit – collaboration – should serve as a pivotal strategy, the road to take if we are to move with speed and certainty into recovery, and make our way towards a flourishing future.”
Lee also pledged to promote innovation in public health, maintain sustainable competitiveness by attracting talent and overseas companies, as well as reform the system with a focus on primary healthcare.
Thursday’s event was held alongside the HKTDC Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair, which runs in a hybrid format. The physical event will last till Saturday, while exhibitors and buyers can connect on a digital platform.
