The 25th Asian Congress of Surgery (ACS 2025) and the Annual Conference of the World Association of Chinese Doctors are combined this year. They will take place from October 24 to 26, 2025, at MGM COTAI in Macau SAR, China. This event is organized by the Asian Surgical Association (ASA), the World Association of Chinese Doctors (WACD) and the Faculty of Medicine at the Macau University of Science and Technology (FMD, MUST), while the Macau Healthcare Management and Promotion Association (MHMPA) is serving as the local organizer.
This congress is expected to be the largest surgical event in Macau SAR this year and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Asian Surgical Association. The program will cover various modern advancements in surgical techniques and minimally invasive surgery, featuring keynote lectures from esteemed global experts, specialized symposiums, and trade exhibitions. More than 100 distinguished speakers from diverse surgical specialties and the Global South will offer their insights and experiences. Additionally, the World Association of Chinese Doctors Summit and the 8th Fok Ying Tung World Outstanding Chinese Doctors Awards will be included to enhance the event's prestige.
The idea of forming the Association of Surgeons of South East Asia first occurred to the late Professor Tan Sri GB Ong of the University of Hong Kong in 1967. By 1973, he thought the time was ripe to contact leading surgeons in various South East Asian countries. A preliminary meeting of the surgeons of South East Asia was therefore held on 21 August 1975 in Singapore and was attended by 30 surgeons from six countries to discuss the objectives and organization of the Association.
The objectives of the Association were to establish professional ties between the surgeons of South East Asia and to provide a forum for the dissemination of surgical knowledge throughout the region.
The Inaugural Meeting of the Association of Surgeons of South East Asia was held on 23 May 1976 in Singapore. At this meeting, the late Professor Ong was elected President of the Association, and a governing Council with members from six countries was formed. The draft constitution was discussed and its final structure agreed. With increasing membership from countries beyond South East Asia and to better reflect and serve the surgical community of Asia, the name of the Association of Surgeons of South East Asia was changed to Asian Surgical Association in February 1988.
Since the Asian Surgical Association is made up primarily of surgeons from Asia, the Association itself, its Biennial Congresses and the Asian Journal of Surgery play important roles in enhancing interaction among Asian surgeons and providing platform for exchange of ideas and expertise, presentation and publication of scientific data, as well as keeping members updated on the surgical activities of member countries and individual members. Of greater importance is the comradeship among members of the Association so that strong bonds exist between the members of different nations of Asia and beyond.
The World Association of Chinese Doctors (WACD) was founded in Macau on September 21, 2014. This international, academic, non-profit organization was collaboratively initiated by Chinese medical groups from 13 different countries and regions.
The Association's mission is to bring together, coordinate, and collaborate with Chinese physicians and medical organizations globally. By integrating Chinese physician resources worldwide and fostering mutual exchanges and cooperation, it aims to enhance the development of both western and traditional Chinese medicine so as to raise the healthcare standard globally.
The World Association of Chinese Doctors also works on connecting Chinese medical groups worldwide as to strengthen mutual communication and cooperation, promote the noble medical spirit of the Chinese nation, and highlight exemplary practices among Chinese physicians. Additionally, it aims to support healthcare initiatives in global south regions and enhance the clinical skills and ethical standards of Chinese doctors, ultimately improving health services for all humanity.
As a non-profit social organization, the World Chinese Medical Doctors Association focuses on academic exchanges and remains neutral regarding political and religious matters. It is a new platform for communication and collaboration among Chinese physicians.
