Hong Kong, July 7, 2006 - The annual Hong Kong Shopping Festival, organized by Hong Kong Tourism Board ("HKTB"), is featuring traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the second time this year. Sharing the Government's vision of developing Hong Kong into an international TCM city, the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Merchants Association and Eu Yan Sang (Hong Kong) Limited ("Eu Yan Sang") jointly host the "Chinese Medicine Expo 2006" at the Grand Century Plaza in Mongkok. This year, the expo is planned under the theme of "Authenticity and Fine Traditions to Build Hong Kong Advantage in TCM". Open to the public from July 7 and 9, the expo is co-organized by Pak Shing Tong Group and the School of Chinese Medicine ("SCM"), Hong Kong Baptist University ("HKBU").
"Chinese Medicine Expo 2006" opens today in the presence of The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, GBS, OBE, JP, Chairman of the HKTB.
Mr Tommy Li Ying-sang, MH, JP, Chairman of the Chinese Medicine Committee, Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, remarked: "We take pleasure to organize the second 'Chinese Medicine Expo' following a successful debut last year. The Chinese Medicine Merchants Association will continue to work side by side with our industry partners to promote the quality and authenticity edge of local TCM products. The expo is an effective platform for the TCM industry to communicate with both local people and tourists, and let them have a better understanding of the milestones achieved."
In addition to TCM information, the expo also features a rare exhibit loaned by the SCM of HKBU - the world's tallest Wild Herba Cistanches, the first Chinese herb that was included in the Guinness World Records. There will also be a jumbo Longevity Man statue made with 2,374 pieces of Ginseng. There will also be specimens to allow visitors to learn how to differentiate authentic herbs from counterfeits.
To make the three-day event both informative and entertaining, the organizer has scheduled a number of activities such as seminars hosted by professors of the SCM of HKBU, free medical consultation, quizzes and Tai-Ji performances.
Ms Alice Wong, Managing Director, Eu Yan Sang (Hong Kong) Limited, noted that: "The 'Chinese Medicine Expo' is hosted for the second time, and has become a highlight of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival. We at Eu Yan Sang is committed to upholding our fine TCM heritage while driving the industry forward through scientific research and GMP manufacturing. We therefore fully support the expo's initiative to promote authenticity and traditional values in order to strengthen our advantage." Ms Wong believes that the public will find the expo inspiring and resourceful.
About Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Merchants Association
Founded in 1928, the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Merchants Association is one of the earliest non-profit-making TCM bodies in Hong Kong. Its members include TCM distributors, retailers and manufacturers. The missions of the association are to promote the heritage of TCM, enhance industry ties and provide professional opinions on regulatory issues. In a bid to broaden its scope of services, the association has organized overseas visits to encourage the exchange of expertise, and has participated actively in such community services as TCM seminars and events.
About Eu Yan Sang Group
Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, Eu Yan Sang International Limited is a progressive, global healthcare company with its core focus in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Today, the Company manufactures and markets fine quality, Chinese herbs and medicine under the brand name "Eu Yan Sang." A household name in Asia for 126 years, Eu Yan Sang has since earned an unrivalled reputation as the leader in the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
The Group currently offers more than 250 products under its Eu Yan Sang brand name and over 1000 different types of Chinese herbs and other medicinal products. Manufacturing activities are carried out primarily at its two factories located in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which are Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-certified. Eu Yan Sang's factory in Hong Kong was accredited under ISO9001:2000 and has received the highly respected TGA-certification, as well as a further GMP Certificate for Manufacturer (Proprietary Chinese Medicines) from the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong. It produces different types of powder, pill and capsule products, including its flagship products, Bak Foong Pill and Bo Ying Compound.
Eu Yan Sang's products are readily available in 109 of its own stores spread across Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as in over 5,000 drugstores, supermarkets, medical halls and convenience stores worldwide. In addition, its cybershop at www.euyansang.com offers global customers the ease and convenience of buying its products online. EYS also operates a chain of 12 TCM clinics in Singapore and Malaysia; 2 Specialist TCM clinics in Singapore; and 4 "YourHealth" Integrative Medicine Centres (IMC) in Australia.
About School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University
Established in 1999, the School of Chinese Medicine (SCM) of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is the first University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institution that provides higher education in Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Consisting of the Teaching Division, Clinical Division, Research & Development Division, and Division of Continuing & Professional Education, the School strives to achieve an all-round development in teaching, research, clinical service and technology with the aim of advancing Chinese medicine into the international arena. With years of effort the School has seen rapid growth, and is now having a student body of 1,700 and is a full-fledged 160-strong faculty (among them half are academic staff). Besides its strength in quality control of Chinese herbal medicines, the School is dedicated to advancing research on treatments of gereological illnesses, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome.
About Pak Shing Tong Group
Founded in 1920 at Bonham Strand West in Sheung Wan, where the traditional Chinese trades blossomed, Pak Shing Tong Group specializes in the selling of premium Chinese medicine, ginseng and bird's nests, and has been a name associated with superb quality and excellent value for money. Recognized for its dedication to quality service and products, Pak Shing Tong Group was conferred "The Hong Kong Tourism Services Award 2002". In a recent Mystery Shoppers Programme organized by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, Pak Shing Tong was selected a "Service Retailer of the Year" in the specialty shop category among 3,000 retailers in Hong Kong, validating the Group's service pledge and professionalism.