Jinan Times APP:

In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has attracted increasing attention thanks to its unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of diseases. What results have been achieved regarding high-quality TCM development since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period? Thank you.

Lei Haichao:

Thank you. Ms. Yu will answer this question. 

Yu Yanhong:

Thank you for the question. General Secretary Xi Jinping has made multiple important instructions on promoting the high-quality development of TCM and related industries, and we have conscientiously implemented his important directives on TCM-related work and the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. We have carried forward the fine elements of TCM, innovating while upholding principles. Focusing on the implementation of the TCM development plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan period and major projects for rejuvenating TCM, we have facilitated the rapid and high-quality development of TCM in the new era. According to evaluations, three out of the 15 major development targets outlined in the 14th Five-Year Plan have already been achieved ahead of schedule, and progress on the remaining targets is proceeding as planned. The main results are as follows:

TCM service capabilities have improved significantly. We have focused on enhancing strengths, addressing weaknesses, building TCM hubs, and strengthening grassroots infrastructure. On the one hand, we have relied on top-tier TCM hospitals to promote the construction of national TCM research centers. So far, we have established 27 TCM programs at regional medical centers, mapped out 35 national TCM epidemic prevention and control bases, and selected 1,158 national TCM specialty departments. These efforts have expanded premium medical resources in lower-level institutions and improved the regional distribution of these resources. On the other hand, we have supported 130 prefecture-level TCM hospitals in developing key TCM specialties and over 1,000 county-level TCM hospitals in establishing at least two specialty departments and one center for promoting suitable TCM techniques countywide. We have achieved full coverage of TCM facilities in community health service centers and township health centers. Overall, we have built a high-quality, efficient TCM service system. To illustrate, in 2023, there were 93,000 TCM medical institutions nationwide, providing 1.54 billion patient consultations, representing a 29.2% increase in the number of institutions and a 67.4% increase in consultations compared to 2020.

The integrated development of TCM education, technology and talent cultivation has yielded new results. In education, we have deepened collaboration between hospitals and educational institutions by establishing a joint TCM graduate school and developing 321 high-level TCM departments for academic research. These efforts have driven reform and high-quality development in education and teaching. In terms of sci-tech innovation, we have focused on better clarifying and demonstrating the curative effects of TCM. This effort has resulted in the establishment of new platforms, systems and mechanisms for sci-tech innovation. We undertook the special task of TCM modernization under the national key research and development program, built seven national key laboratories and two national clinical research centers for TCM, and mapped out 46 national TCM inheritance and innovation centers. Notably, the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, operated by the China Center for Evidence Based Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been recognized as a WHO Primary Registry and has released numerous TCM treatments for key diseases, appropriate TCM technologies, and uniquely effective TCM medicines. In terms of talent development, we implemented a project to cultivate TCM specialists, building a tiered, high-caliber talent pool consisting of leaders, outstanding figures, and key professionals. In the TCM community, this project is warmly referred to as the "Qihuang Project" (named after the two founders of TCM, Qibo and Huangdi). Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, five TCM experts have been inducted into the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. We also selected and honored the fourth cohort of 30 TCM Masters, along with 101 nationally famous TCM practitioners. As of the end of last year, the number of TCM practitioners nationwide (including assistant physicians) had reached 868,000.

The recognition and influence of TCM have continued to increase. The show "China Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference" garnered national attention after its debut on CCTV. Meanwhile, TCM cultural night markets have become immensely popular, and TCM health practices have gained a significant following among young people. TCM is increasingly becoming ingrained in the cultural mindset as a means of promoting public health. TCM has taken a more proactive role in serving China's major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Thirty high-quality TCM overseas centers have been built. TCM has been included in the list of outcomes from the China-Central Asia Summit and the results of mutual visits by the top leaders of China and Vietnam. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine continues to be held annually. The Chinese medical team providing TCM aid to Cambodia has become a bond connecting the people of both countries. TCM continues to play a greater role in building a global community of health for all.

Next, we will focus on enhancing the mechanisms for preserving and innovatively developing TCM. We will further deepen comprehensive reforms in TCM to better serve the development of a healthy China and contribute to economic and social progress. Thank you.