Capital leverages rich resources to empower its medical heritage

Beijing's strengths in traditional Chinese medicine, technological innovation and international connections positioned it as the ideal host for the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine, held in the Chinese capital from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Co-hosted by the National Health Commission, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Beijing government and the World Health Organization, the conference aimed to foster international dialogue and collaboration in traditional medicine and promote its balanced development across the globe.

Beijing boasts abundant TCM resources, being home to nationally renowned experts and top-tier institutions like the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. Iconic local brands such as Tongrentang and Heniantang also represent the city's rich TCM heritage.

According to Luo Zenggang, director of the Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing has invested an average of 2.3 billion yuan ($317 million) into TCM development annually over the past three years. By the end of 2023, Beijing had 1,340 TCM healthcare institutions, serving more than 71 million patients through outpatient and emergency care, accounting for 26.1 percent of the city's total.

To preserve TCM knowledge, Beijing has been improving its tiered inheritance system, which involves more than 1,000 mentors. Nearly 400 TCM inheritance studios have been established in the city.

In addition to medical research, Beijing is preserving TCM culture by creating a group of TCM cultural brands and nearly 150 health culture experience centers, offering interactive education and smart diagnostics. Furthermore, Beijing has designated 59 TCM-themed tourist sites and designed 13 TCM-themed tourist routes to help the public learn more about TCM.

Beijing's prowess in technological innovation has injected new vitality into the development of TCM. In May, the city unveiled a three-year action plan for the coordinated, innovation-driven development of the healthcare sector, emphasizing TCM. Leveraging biotechnology, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other modern technologies, Beijing is empowering the development of traditional medicine, including TCM.

Beijing's international connectivity also makes it a suitable host for the international conference. In the 2024 International Exchange Centers Index released in July, Beijing ranked seventh globally. This underscores its increasing role in global economic development and resource allocation.

Beijing is supporting local institutions such as Dongzhimen Hospital and Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in establishing TCM facilities in countries such as Germany and Singapore, and it has dispatched TCM experts to participate in international medical missions.

Beijing also has experience in hosting international health-themed events. It has hosted high-level TCM academic conferences, international TCM events for overseas Chinese communities and TCM nursing conferences.

A TCM Day has become a fixture at the China International Fair for Trade in Services, held annually in Beijing. During the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, TCM experience centers were set up in the Olympic villages, enhancing TCM's international influence.