China achieved progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine

China has achieved marked progress in carrying forward Traditional Chinese Medicine to the world in recent years, while experts called for more open-minded and inclusive international cooperation in the sector to let more people in the world enjoy benefits of the Chinese medicine.

"Traditional Chinese Medicine is a great product of Chinese people, whose future is brighter after the TCM's development being lifted as a State-level strategy in recent years," said Yu Wenming, president of the China Association of Chinese Medicine at a seminar in Beijing on Wednesday.

According to him, Traditional Chinese Medicine has so far been received in 196 countries and regions with around 30 high-quality TCM research or cooperation centers being established overseas.

"A report by the World Health Organization shows that 113 of its member countries and regions have performed acupuncture treatment and 30 have legal supervision over their acupuncture service providers in 2019, and another 20 member countries and regions have included acupuncture in their medicare system. 

"The 72nd World Health Assembly held in May 2019, approved to inclusion of a separate chapter about traditional Chinese medicines in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases for the first time. The TCM has then officially been included in the world's medical system," he added. 

While traditional Chinese medicines have shown their advantages in preventing or treating diseases, also in rehabilitation in the past thousands of years, it's still in urgent need of transformation for more sustainable development, according to experts.

Wang Qi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said at the seminar that the transformation is needed due to the changing eras and in the face of cultural diversity, which can let the sector develop with more strict standards and gain a higher sense of identity from people of other countries and regions.

"The transformation is necessary and adding creativity in the process of the transformation is also important, which can gain the TCM a more bright future," he said.

Lu Cairong, deputy director of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration said that it's important to deliver good elements of the TCM including ancient medical books, recipes, and intangible cultural heritages, to the world by making good use of new media and online platforms.

"The authorities can organize some international exhibitions or cultural festivals to introduce cultures and products of the TCM to the world and make more people in the world know the cultures," he said. "Also, nongovernmental organizations, colleges and companies can help produce more talent for the international communications of the TCM."