News

Prof. Che delivered PAIR Seminar

🌿 Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science 🌿 We were honored to welcome Prof. CHE Chun-tao from the University of Illinois Chicago, USA, for a PAIR Seminar titled “Chinese Medicines and Geriatric Health – A Research Perspective” on 14 January 2026. During the seminar, Prof. Che emphasized the significance of evidence-based Chinese medicine in elderly care, effectively bridging traditional wisdom with modern scientific research. The event attracted approximately 90 in-person participants and reached an impressive online audience of over 15,850 across various social media platforms. Read more: https://polyu.hk/IHfzb  Watch the review: https://youtu.be/Wa1o9SGJkSs

Botanical Horizons Forum & Young Scholar Talks

Botanical Horizons Forum & Young Scholar Talks: Fostering International Collaboration and Innovation Following the Botanical Symposium, we were delighted to host the Botanical Horizons Forum & Young Scholar Talks. This event brought together young scholars and researchers from PolyU, Naresuan University (Thailand), and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who delivered eight engaging presentations. The topics spanned a wide range of innovative research, including herbal and traditional remedies for neurological and cardiovascular health, advances in inflammation and cognitive health, phytochemical studies of medicinal plants, and new approaches in oral health and drug delivery. The forum fostered vibrant interaction and knowledge exchange, particularly with our colleagues from Naresuan University. We extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, moderators, and participants for their valuable contributions, which made the event a truly memorable and inspiring occasion. The event fostered vibrant interaction and collaboration, especially with our colleagues from Naresuan University. We thank all speakers, moderators, and participants for their valuable contributions and enthusiasm, which made the forum a truly memorable occasion.

International Botanical Symposium 2026

Advancing Chinese Medicine: Highlights from International Botanical Symposium 2026   The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) proudly hosted the International Botanical Symposium 2026 on 7–8 January 2026 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The event welcomed over 100 participants, both in person and online, for two days of inspiring presentations and meaningful discussions.   Opening remarks by Prof. WONG Wing-tak, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Dr Vincent CHUNG Chi-ho, Commissioner for Chinese Medicine Development at the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government; and Dr Edmund FONG Ho-ching, Assistant Director of Health (Chinese Medicine) at the Department of Health of the HKSAR Government, set the tone for a dynamic programme featuring 14 distinguished speakers. Topics ranged from herbal medicine and neurocognitive functions to drug–herb interactions and artificial intelligence in biomedical sciences. The event also highlighted the progress of RCMI seed projects, showcasing how collaborative research is yielding impactful outcomes.   The symposium reaffirmed RCMI’s continued commitment to advancing health and well-being through Chinese Medicine by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and nurturing the next generation of scientists.   RCMI extends heartfelt thanks to all speakers, moderators, participants, and supporters, and gratefully acknowledges the support of the Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Association (GP-TCM RA) and Shenzhen Key Laboratory, whose contributions continue to strengthen regional and international partnerships.   Looking ahead, RCMI will expand research in tai chi, acupuncture, and artificial intelligence in Chinese Medicine, while deepening collaborations with scientists from Canada, Australia, the USA, and local institutions. These efforts will drive clinical studies at Hong Kong’s new TCM hospital and advance product development.

Poster Selected for Guided Tour at International Conference

Dr Christina Poon’s Poster Selected for Guided Tour at International Conference We are delighted to announce that Dr. Christina Poon presented her research poster entitled “Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Er Zhi Wan (EZW) enhances muscle and bone properties in natural aging osteosarcopenic rats” at the 9th Asia-Pacific Bone Health Conference, organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation, held in Tokyo, Japan from December 11 to 13, 2025. Her poster was honored as one of the selected posters for the conference’s guided poster tour, recognizing the significance and impact of her research in the field of bone health. We congratulate Dr. Poon on this remarkable achievement and her continued dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in traditional Chinese medicine and osteoporosis research.

7th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chinese Medicine Inheritance, Innovation and Development Conference

RCMI was honored to participate in the 7th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Chinese Medicine Inheritance, Innovation and Development Conference, held for the first time in Hong Kong on December 2. The event brought together around 800 experts, scholars, health officials, and industry representatives from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Macau, and overseas to discuss the future of traditional medicine, clinical services, scientific research, modernization, and standardization of Chinese medicine. RCMI set up a booth at the conference and was delighted to attract over 200 guests who visited and engaged with us. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many professionals and share our latest developments in Chinese medicine research and innovation. We look forward to further collaboration and contributing to the advancement of Chinese medicine in the Greater Bay Area and beyond!

Chengdu Visit

DoRCMI Prof. Wong MS Leads RCMI Scholar Visit to Chengdu (27–31 October) Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), led a delegation of twelve members from RCMI, the RCMI Steering Committee, and the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office (KTEO) on a duty visit to Chengdu from 27–31 October. The delegation visited several important research and industry platforms, including Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Tianfu Traditional Chinese Medicine City, West China Hospital (Green Leaf Weixin), and Lead Pharma (Chengdu) Biomedicine Co., Ltd. They also toured Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, visiting the Herbal Genomics Research Institute, University Museum, and Health Valley Laboratory. The group participated in a seminar titled “Academic Exchange and Cooperation Symposium on Innovative Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine,” and met with Academician Chen Shilin, head of the Herbal Genomics team. Both teams exchanged insights on topics such as metabolomics, anti-tumor mechanisms, anti-aging strategies, organoid chip technology, and AI-driven drug discovery. The visit strengthened the foundation for future collaboration in joint laboratory establishment, innovative research, interdisciplinary talent development, and cross-disciplinary integration, supporting the “Healthy China” strategy and the modernization of Chinese medicine.

3rd Hong Kong Arthritis Day

The 3rd Hong Kong Arthritis Day was successfully held on 4 October 2024! Over 200 guests joined us, including Dr. Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, member of the Executive Council of HKSAR, who attended to show his support. RCMI was excited to co-organize this year’s event and host a lively booth featuring a joint health mini-game. Visitors enjoyed hands-on tips about dietary therapy and acupressure, making arthritis prevention fun and interactive. They also discovered how nutrition and acupressure can positively impact daily life. With knee joint degeneration on the rise among our aging population, early prevention and primary healthcare are more crucial than ever. Dr. Lam highlighted Hong Kong’s commitment to advancing community-based care for the aging population and prioritizing early screening for joint health. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone who joined us made the day unforgettable. Let’s keep the momentum going—stay tuned for more joint health tips and upcoming activities from RCMI!

Baoding delegation Visit

RCMI Welcomes Baoding Delegation Visit On September 26, the Baoding Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) delegation visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. During the event, RCMI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hebei Gucheng Incense Group, marking the beginning of an exciting new collaboration. By combining TCM theory with modern technology, both parties aim to jointly develop innovative wellness incense products to address common urban health issues. Following the signing ceremony, the teams engaged in fruitful discussions on future cooperation, exploring opportunities to advance scientific research on the relationship between aroma and wellness, establish product standards, and help upgrade the global incense industry.

RCMI Scholars participated in ICMCM

RCMI Scholars participated in ICMCM Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), together with Prof. Mok, Associate Director of RCMI; Prof. Lee, a member of the RCMI Management Committee; and Dr. Christina POON, Member of RCMI, represented RCMI at the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM) 2025. The conference was organized by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA) and held from August 14 to 15 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, as well as online. The conference brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals from around the world to discuss the latest advancements and trends in Chinese medicine and health products. Prof. Lee contributed to the event by serving as a moderator in one of the sessions, facilitating discussions and knowledge exchange among participants. In addition to the conference, the RCMI team attended the 25th Anniversary banquet of MCMIA, which provided valuable opportunities for networking and strengthening collaborations with key stakeholders in the field. Notably, one of the students from Food Science and Nutrition (FSN) showcased innovation by developing a health supplement utilizing licensed technology from Prof. Wong’s laboratory. This demonstrated the successful translation of research into practical applications and highlighted RCMI’s commitment to fostering student entrepreneurship and technology transfer.      

RCMI members' Article

📢 Big News! Prof. Wong Man-sau (RCMI Director), Prof. Jerry Yeung (RCMI Associate Director) and Dr. Poon Chui Wa Christina (RCMI member), have published an article in The Voice of St. James Settlement (July 2024, Issue 575) titled "Improving Sarcopenia and Insomnia with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Dietary Therapy".