China ramps up efforts to encourage TCM innovation

China will continue to promote scientific and technological innovation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and build more TCM research centers during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Monday.

On March 29, 2021, the State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference in Beijing about thoroughly implementing the 14th Five-Year Plan and enhancing the revitalization and development of traditional Chinese medicine. [Photo by Liu Jian/China SCIO]

Major efforts to advance TCM innovation include editing and publishing more ancient books on TCM, setting up national laboratories in key fields and more TCM medical centers for clinical treatment, and launching programs for training professionals for TCM inheritance and innovation, said Li Yu, an official of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

It is expected that by 2025, about 30 national TCM inheritance and innovation centers will be established with the joint efforts of TCM medical facilities and research institutions, Li added during a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

Over the past five years, more than 30 billion yuan (US$4.57 billion) had been invested in boosting TCM development, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

Sun Zhicheng, a senior official at the Department of Social Development of the NDRC, said that China will further promote TCM by carrying out more major projects in this field. 

China will also build TCM medical centers at the national and regional levels. And the national TCM medical centers will play a leading role in TCM research, cultivation of top talents, and commercialization of new findings. 

In addition, China also plans to build a batch of TCM bases focusing on epidemic prevention and treatment to improve the country's capacity to respond to major public health events, Sun said.