HONG KONG, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong health authorities launched a month-long educational and publicity program here Saturday to enhance public understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

    Officiating at the launching ceremony of the "Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine Program", Secretary for Food and Health Dr. York Chow said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is committed to the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

    The campaign will last for more than one month from Nov. 24 to Dec. 31 during which more than 50 activities will be held to rejuvenate the industry that has prospered in China for centuries.

    Highlights of the campaign include a symposium on global development in Chinese medicine, China's mainland-Hong Kong heart-to-heart carnival on Chinese medicines, visits to elderly homes, free consultations by Chinese medicine practitioners as well as seminars.

    All the activities are non-profit-making and will be provided free to the public or the Chinese medicine sector, according to the Food and Health Department.

    Vice-Minister of Health and Director-General of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dr. Wang Guoqiang said the "Promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China" is a nation-wide campaign that will last for three years.

    The program in Hong Kong will enable the local community to gain a better understanding of Chinese medicine and will be beneficial to its development, he added.