Far East Consortium Chairman Tan Sri Dato' David Chiu and Dorsett Hospitality International President Winnie Chiu JP visiting the farm with VTC and THEi Teams — Photo by Dorsett
  • First corporate business in Hong Kong to donate farmland for Chinese medicine research
  • DHI has provided scholarships, subsidies, seed funding and over 1,500 working opportunities to students over the years
  • D20Roots will run educational workshops and work with Hong Kong brands to develop TCM beauty and wellness products

Hong Kong - Dorsett Hospitality International (DHI) and their parent company Far East Consortium (FEC) announced the opening of a new Chinese Medicine and Culture Research Center (CMCRC) and D20Roots (德根盛園) research farmland on Friday, November 3 2023, in partnership with the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong’s (THEi) Chinese Medicinal Pharmacy.

DHI believes in investing in positive impacts, and the opening of the CMCRC and D20Roots represents a significant milestone in their commitment to support the community through education, arts and culture, and the environment. DHI is the first corporate business in Hong Kong to donate farmland for Chinese medicine research. Over the years, the Group has provided scholarships, subsidies, seed funding and over 1,500 working opportunities to students.

D20Roots is a 40,000 square-foot farmland in Sai Kung Pak Kong Village originally procured by the late founder of FEC, Mr. Deacon Chiu Te-ken JP, as part of his lifelong commitment to give back to the Hong Kong community. Representing the third generation in her family business, Ms. Winnie Chiu JP, President and Executive Director of DHI, Executive Director of FEC and Chair of the ESG Steering Committee, is continuing this legacy by granting D20Roots for research, conservation and education purposes as part of a 12-year partnership with the Vocational Training Council.

The ceremony was officiated by (from left to right): Mr Edmund Tak Man Li, Honourable Mr Chu Kwok Keung (Constituency of Education), Ms Winnie Chiu JP (President of Dorsett Hospitality International), Mr Donald Tong (Executive Director of VTC), Mr Ho Ka Ki (Chinese Medicine Bureau), Dr Au Chung Tung Dawn (Associate professor and project lead at THEi)— Photo by DorsettThe ceremony was officiated by (from left to right): Mr Edmund Tak Man Li, Honourable Mr Chu Kwok Keung (Constituency of Education), Ms Winnie Chiu JP (President of Dorsett Hospitality International), Mr Donald Tong (Executive Director of VTC), Mr Ho Ka Ki (Chinese Medicine Bureau), Dr Au Chung Tung Dawn (Associate professor and project lead at THEi)— Photo by Dorsett
The ceremony was officiated by (from left to right): Mr Edmund Tak Man Li, Honourable Mr Chu Kwok Keung (Constituency of Education), Ms Winnie Chiu JP (President of Dorsett Hospitality International), Mr Donald Tong (Executive Director of VTC), Mr Ho Ka Ki (Chinese Medicine Bureau), Dr Au Chung Tung Dawn (Associate professor and project lead at THEi)— Photo by Dorsett
It means a lot to me to be able to carry on the legacy of my grandfather and father, Tan Sri Dato’ David Chiu, through my passion for education and sustainability. I hope that D20Roots will help preserve, innovate and educate the next generation about Chinese culture, while also highlighting the importance of nurturing nature for our ecosystem and wellbeing. Winnie Chiu JP

D20Roots will run educational workshops for the community and work with local brands to develop modern applications of TCM, such as beauty and wellness products. A MOU has been signed with local craft company, Mindful Sparks, to use the medicinal herbs native to the farm to create TCM sparkling tea tonics.

Following the example of Mr. Deacon Chiu Te-ken JP, who founded 3 Ju Ching Secondary Schools in Hong Kong, providing access to education has always been deeply rooted in both FEC and DHI’s mission. For 12 years, DHI has partnered with the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to provide scholarships and opportunities for students. Most recently, DHI has titled sponsored VTC’s ‘Innovation and Technology Co-Creation Centre powered by DHI’ and launched an annual ‘Innovation Award & Seed Fund’ competition. Since receiving their awards, three student teams have entered Hong Kong Science Park for further funding and development opportunities.

About D20Roots

The farmland is named D20Roots to signify its special ecological purpose and the Group’s history:

D: For Dorsett Hospitality International
20: A reference to the 20 Chinese medicinal species native to the land
Roots: (根) The word ‘roots’ in both English and Chinese has several meanings. It speaks to the roots of our cultural heritage and Chinese culture while also functioning as an important part of the support and nourishment of our plants. The character 根 also holds a very special meaning to the Chiu family as this was part of their Grandfather’s name - 邱德根.

Up to 100 species of herbal medicines provided for studies and research will be cultivated at D20Roots, which will be divided into 7 zones classified by function and application: herbal tea, medicinal soup, medicinal bath, fresh herbal medicines, aroma herbs, folkloric herbs and Lingnan Daodi Chinese Medicines.

The project will start on a 3-year basis, focusing on promoting the application of Chinese Medicine.

About Dorsett Hospitality International

Dorsett Hospitality International is one of Asia's fastest-growing hotel groups. As a Hong Kong hospitality brand, we are proud to have an international footprint in 23 major cities worldwide with a total of 53 properties with our strategic partners TWH and AGORA Hospitality Group, including Dorsett Hospitality International's 4 core brands: Dorsett Hotels, Dao by Dorsett, d.Collection, and Silka, each with their own distinct identity and offerings to cater to diverse travel needs. Since the group's establishment in Hong Kong in January 2007, we have grown by leaps and bounds with hotels across China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe; more properties are planned in the development pipeline. For more information on Dorsett Hospitality International, visit: www.dorsett.com.

Yi Li Dawson
Director of Brand Marketing, Dorsett Hospitality International
Dorsett