Plan aims to give TCM a big boost

Innovation, talent development keys to revitalizing traditional Chinese medicine

China has recently released a plan to revitalize traditional Chinese medicine through a series of major programs aimed at boosting TCM healthcare services, training doctors and promoting innovation, as well as advancing the integration of TCM and Western medicine, according to a circular released on Feb 28.

"TCM played an important role in the fight against COVID-19 … and its development has entered a strategic stage of opportunity," the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine said on March 3 in a statement explaining the circular. "But some urgent problems remain, such as a shortage of systematic programs and platforms focusing on TCM."

Sun Zhicheng, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission's Social Development Bureau, said that since the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, the central government has dedicated nearly 50 billion yuan ($7.28 billion) to developing and improving TCM-related projects, including upgrading the infrastructure and facilities of 670 county-level TCM clinics.