National political adviser calls for TCM standardization

A national political adviser called for accelerated standardization for traditional Chinese medicine to promote its international use.

A total of 40 international standards on traditional Chinese medicine -- with more than 80 percent of those formulations led by China -- -- had been released by the end of last year, and formulation of another 38 international standards on traditional Chinese medicine is under research, Huang Luqi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, said during the body's annual session in Beijing.

"The number of international standards on traditional Chinese medicine falls far short of demands, and formulation of the standards should be accelerated to promote its use overseas," Huang, also president of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, said.

"International standards are a prerequisite for TCM promotion overseas." he said.

As the origin of traditional Chinese medicine, China should better play its advantage in expertise and intensify international cooperation so it takes the lead in formulating more international TCM standards, Huang suggested.

Meanwhile, with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, countries involved can jointly formulate unified traditional medicine standards, Huang said.

They also can establish an information exchange and cooperation platform on standardization of traditional medicine to promote the development of pharmaceutical industries in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, and promote the international use of TCM so it benefits more people, he added.