On the morning of September 20, the 2025 Hunan-Hong Kong Medical Exchange Symposium – part of the "Talent Empowering Hunan" Hunan Tour for Scientists from Asia and Europe – took place at Central South University. As a special session of the inaugural "Talent Empowering Hunan" Conference, the event brought together notable guests including Professor Jay S. Siegel (Vice President of The University of Hong Kong and recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award), Professor Li Zhihong (Vice President of Central South University), Liu Wenyu (Director of the Hunan Provincial Water Resources Research and Utilization Cooperation Center), Liu Jian (Associate Researcher at the same center), Professor Yin Gang (Director of Central South University’s International Cooperation and Exchange Department), Professor Xiang Bo (Executive Deputy Director of Furong Laboratory), as well as young scholars and student representatives from Xiangya School of Medicine. The symposium was hosted by Professor Huang Zhijun, Vice Dean of Xiangya School of Medicine.
In his remarks, Professor Li Zhihong reflected on Central South University’s motto – "Seeking Truth, Pursuing Innovation, Integrating Knowledge and Action" – and the century-old legacy of Xiangya Medicine’s core values: "Integrity, Courage, Diligence, Prudence, Sincerity, Love, Modesty and Integrity." He also highlighted the university’s key strengths: its clinical service network anchored by ten affiliated hospitals, the research capabilities of Furong Laboratory, and the collaborative groundwork built through prior exchanges with The University of Hong Kong.
Director Liu Wenyu shared the essence of Governor Mao Weiming’s speech at the "Talent Empowering Hunan" Conference, emphasizing that Hunan and Hong Kong complement each other perfectly in medical sci-tech innovation. He stressed that deepening medical cooperation between the two is not just a natural step for advancing their respective medical sectors, but also a shared duty to support national strategies and tackle global public health challenges together.
The keynote session featured two insightful talks. Professor Siegel delivered a presentation titled "Future Scope of Health Care: Technology and Social Responsibility," drawing on decades of experience in molecular design and synthesis to offer international cutting-edge perspectives. Professor Li Zhihong followed with "Crossing Disciplinary Boundaries: Exploration and Practice of Xiangya Orthopedics," sharing local breakthroughs in bone and joint disease research and interdisciplinary initiatives. During the event, Furong Laboratory formally named Professor Siegel an Honorary Visiting Professor. The subsequent discussion session saw lively interactions, as participants actively exchanged ideas around the needs of Hunan-Hong Kong medical cooperation.
During his visit, Professor Siegel also toured Xiangya Hospital, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Furong Laboratory, gaining a firsthand understanding of Xiangya’s 100-year medical heritage and its latest research achievements.
In recent years, Central South University has stepped up its internationalization efforts, forging long-term partnerships with The University of Hong Kong in medical education, research innovation, and clinical practice. Professor Siegel’s visit and this symposium have added fresh momentum to this collaboration. Moving forward, the two sides will leverage diverse models – such as joint laboratories, joint talent development, and partnerships with honorary visiting professors – to deepen ties in medical education, joint research on major diseases, and clinical resource sharing. Together, they aim to address global public health challenges and write a new chapter in the high-quality development of medical services in Hunan and Hong Kong.
