Jockey Club’s Charities Trust and Institute of Philanthropy support the development of top medical professionals in the Mainland and bolster epidemic preparedness in the Greater Bay Area

04/03/2024 20:13

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (“the Club”) and the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”), a charitable organisation established by the Club and its Charities Trust, are pleased to jointly announce today (4 March) the signing of three co-operation agreements in support of health initiatives announced in the Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address. Under these initiatives, the Club will provide HK$3 billion to strengthen epidemic preparedness in Hong Kong and to enhance regional co-operation in the Greater Bay Area for joint prevention and control.

IoP Agreements with the National Health Commission
Witnessed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) John Lee, two co-operation agreements were signed, namely the “Memorandum of Understanding Between the National Health Commission and The Hong Kong Jockey Club on a National Capacity Building Programme for Human Resources for Health” and the “Collaboration Agreement Between the National Health Commission and The Hong Kong Jockey Club on a Scholarship-cum-fellowship for Top Talent in the Mainland”.

These agreements highlight the IoP’s support for the Healthy China 2030 Blueprint and the 14th Five-year Plan on Health Talent Development. They will contribute to the development of health talent in clinical services and health management, and help build the capacity of top medical and healthcare professionals.

Charities Trust Agreement with the Health Bureau of the HKSAR Government
In order to strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks of infectious disease, the “Memorandum of Understanding Between the Health Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR and The Hong Kong Jockey Club on a Local Programme for Infectious Disease Prevention and Preparedness” was signed. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee and the Vice-minister of the National Health Commission Lei Haichao.

Under this Memorandum of Understanding, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust will support the work of the Health Bureau and the Centre for Health Protection to strengthen system-wide preparedness for future outbreaks of infectious disease. Specific initiatives are: emerging disease surveillance and prevention, epidemic response capacity building, and emerging disease preparedness and research. These initiatives will also enhance regional co-operation in the Greater Bay Area for joint prevention and control.

Apart from the above initiatives, the HK$3 billion commitment has also supported the establishment of the global headquarters of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute announced in November last year. It is the city’s first institution dedicated to bringing the latest translational vaccine technology to Hong Kong through collaboration between local and global academics and institutions.

The Club’s contribution to these healthcare initiatives, like all its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate employment, tax and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.

Institute of Philanthropy
The Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”) was established in September 2023 through a strategic grant of HK$5 billion from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust. With its mission of becoming a leading “think-fund-do” tank for China and Asia, the IoP is dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought leadership at local, regional and global levels in partnership with fellow foundations, philanthropic stakeholders and other organisations. Grounded in the East, it provides a globally-connected convening platform to promote the common good for the betterment of societies everywhere.