NEWS & EVENTS

The Vincent V.C. Woo Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Institute (the Institute) convened its Annual Strategic Meeting at Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) on 15 July 2025, gathering representatives from the Vincent and Lily Woo Foundation (the Foundation), the University Advancement Office (UAO) of HKBU, and the Institute. The meeting reviewed the Institute’s work progress and achievements in the past year, and charted the strategic direction for the advancement of Chinese medicine research, placing special emphasis on clinical trials, research methodology, and international collaboration.

The Foundation delegation was led by its Chair, Dr. Alice WOO, and comprised Ms. Vicky SUNG, President; Mr. Harry YEUNG, Vice President and HKBU Council Member; Ms. Helena KOO, Treasurer; and Ms. Cindy WU, Advisory Committee Member. The University Advancement Office of HKBU was represented by Mrs. Lily CHAN, Director of University Advancement and Secretary-General of the HKBU Foundation. The Institute delegation was led by Professor Aiping LYU, Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Co-Director of the Institute (participating virtually); Professor Zhaoxiang BIAN, MH, Associate Vice-President (Clinical Chinese Medicine) cum Founding Director and Co-Director of the Institute; Professor Min LI, Dean of Chinese Medicine cum Associate Director of the Institute; Professor Kam Wa CHAN, Associate Director of the Institute; and Professor Yaolong CHEN, visiting professor from Lanzhou University.

Professor BIAN began by expressing heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Alice WOO and Mrs. Lily CHAN and thanked the Foundation and the UAO for their steadfast support to the Institute. He also extended a warm welcome to Professor CHEN and newly joined Project Associate, Mr. Jacky CHEUNG. During the meeting, Professor BIAN and Professor CHAN reaffirmed the Institute’s vision and mission, to foster internationalization and standardization in Chinese medicine through excellence in research; outlined clear governance responsibilities; and reinforced the Institute's commitment to rigorous scientific research and proactive global collaboration.

The current progress of ongoing clinical and methodological research was reported. As of 30 June 2025, the Institute has been conducting multiple clinical research projects targeting conditions such as mental health, stroke, and diabetes, while also developing a series of clinical trial reporting guidelines to set new benchmarks for the standardisation of Chinese medicine research. In addition, the Advisory Committee of the Foundation had exchanges with each member of the Institute’s research team.

In closing, both parties engaged in an in-depth discussion on strategic priorities and detailed plans for the coming year. Looking ahead, the Institute will make full use of the existing research platform to carry out clinical trials and translational research of international level and lead the development of the field of traditional Chinese medicine.