Service begins at cooperative TCM park in Hengqin

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Science & Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation between Guangdong and Macao initiated first-phase public service in Hengqin New Area on Sept 27.

The 120,000-sq-m facility comprises seven single projects from R&D to quality testing and production for small and medium-size medicine enterprises in the Chinese mainland and Macao.

The commencement was announced by Yuki Lu Hong, chairperson of the board of the industrial park, during the 2017 Traditional Medicine International Cooperation Forum (Macao-China) held at the Parisian Macao.

According to Yuki, the opening is of great significance for Macao's initiative to develop the TCM industry by providing technology-based service while organizing international business exchanges and cooperation.

Industry insiders from the Chinese mainland, Macao, European Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Portuguese-speaking countries showed great interest in the milestone effort.

Production workshop

A scientific research headquarters, R&D testing area, extraction building and power center, together with support facilities, are all in place.

The first phase also includes a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) pilot production to be constructed and managed in accordance with Chinese and EU GMP certification standards. A high-level workshop has been equipped to produce traditional medicine in various dosage formats such as tablets, capsules, granules, pellets, and liniment.

Not only this, but the park promises the introduction of domestic and international sales resources to promote market launches, according to Feng Zhun, deputy chief executive officer of Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park Development. More improvements will be scheduled to deepen research and development of TCM, clinical studies of new TCM, and quality control.

The industrial park has sought partnership with 365 enterprises, 99 of which had shown intent to cooperate as of the end of August. Forty-seven companies, including those from Macao, have settled in the park.

Medicine laboratory [Photos by Zeng Yao / Zhuhai Daily]

The organization has also helped two Chinese TCM products -- one from the mainland and the other from Macao -- to obtain approval for entry to the local market in Mozambique.

The foundation of the cooperative industrial park, the first one dedicated to joining Guangdong and Macao in the industry, was laid in Hengqin on April 19, 2011 -- a result of the Framework Agreement on Cooperation Between Guangdong & Macao signed on March 6, 2011.