Both a liaison office of the Guangdong Food & Drug Administration (GDFDA) and traditional Chinese medicine technology and policy research center were inaugurated at Hengqin's TCM Science & Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao on July 25.

About 200 government officials, experts, and corporate representatives attended the inauguration ceremony.

TCM Sci-Tech Industrial Park promotes integrated development in Macao and Guangdong through technological advances and international exchanges. That promotion was the first outcome of the Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong & Macao signed in March 2011.

The liaison office is responsible for coordinating the GDFDA, industrial park, and enterprises. It provides policy consultations and technical guidance to assist with registrations and applications.

Inauguration ceremony [Photo courtesy gmtcmpark.com]

Likewise, the research center connects government agencies and enterprises, which are regularly invited to discuss policy, technology, and development trends with industry experts. It also provides guidance in policy interpretation and important steps in the development of key technologies.

The facility aims to become an international TCM quality control base and global health industry exchange platform, according to an executive.

Several public technical service platforms have been completed for good manufacturing practice (GMP) pilot scale production, R&D and testing. Authoritative consultants, research teams, and service organizations of government departments have also been introduced to the park to facilitate progress.

Macao's Secretary for Economy & Finance, Lionel Leong Vai-tac, and Luo Wenzhi, director of the GDFDA, attended the opening ceremony, as did Zhuhai Vice Mayor Yan Wu.