Two flagship projects aimed at driving the development of traditional Chinese medicine in Hong Kong broke ground on Thursday, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine said.

The Chinese Medicine Hospital and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, both located at Pak Shing Kok in Tseung Kwan O, are expected to be completed by 2025 and begin providing services in phases, according to the administration.

Yu Yanhong, Party chief of the administration, said during the groundbreaking ceremony via video link the two institutions will play a positive role in improving healthcare services for Hong Kong people, advancing the development of TCM overseas and becoming a symbol of TCM's development across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held as part of a series of events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with the motherland.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who officiated and addressed the ceremony, said she thanked the nation and different mainland government departments for their support in planning the two facilities, as well as the mainland's assistance to step up Hong Kong's fight against COVID-19.

"Today's groundbreaking ceremony heralds the start of a significant page for the development of TCM in Hong Kong, with the two flagship projects serving as a strong impetus," she said.

According to the administration, the Chinese Medicine Hospital will cover 4.29 hectares and be operated by Hong Kong Baptist University under a public-private partnership model. The Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, covering 1.72 hectares, will be managed by Hong Kong's Department of Health.