On the 28th, it was learned from the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province that from February 1, 2026, the "Guangdong Residential Care Service Plan" will add two new elderly care institutions located in Guangzhou and Dongguan as recognized service institutions. Along with the existing 24 elderly care institutions, the total number of elderly care institutions participating in this plan will increase to 26, fully covering 9 mainland cities in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, continuously meeting the diverse elderly care service needs of elderly people in Hong Kong in Guangdong. Starting from December 22, 2025, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will implement the "Guangdong Residential Care Service Plan" - a trial arrangement for medical subsidies for a period of two years. Starting from the implementation date of the trial arrangement, elderly people participating in this service plan can apply for a certain amount of subsidy for medical expenses that belong to the scope of medical insurance and need to be paid out of pocket at any designated medical insurance unit (including clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies) within the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area under the national medical security policy. It is reported that in 2023, the Department of Civil Affairs of Guangdong Province and the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly promoting elderly care cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong, as well as a letter of intent on expanding the "Guangdong Residential Care Service Plan". Both sides agreed to explore cooperation in expanding the "Guangdong Residential Care Service Plan" and jointly select elderly care institutions operated by mainland institutions to participate in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's "Guangdong Residential Care Service Plan" in mainland cities designated by both sides in the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area. They will also promote the implementation of relevant matters, further promote exchanges and cooperation in the field of elderly care services between Guangdong and Hong Kong, complement each other's advantages, and improve the quality of life of elderly people in both places. (New Society)