TCM giant sets up shop in Brunei

By Zhang Jin (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-08-04 18:40

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei: Beijing Tong Ren Tang opened its first store in Brunei on Aug 4, in its latest move to tap the global market as the popularity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) grows.

Ang Ju Ming, the representative of Tong Ren Tang’s Brunei branch, said he hoped the store could help promote Tong Ren Tang’s image of “quality products and best service”.

Chinese ambassador to the country Tong Xiaoling said TCM is quite popular in Brunei. “TCM is deeply rooted in Brunei’s Chinese community and has won a wide approval from local Malays,” she said.

A dancing lion attracts the attention of Beijing Tong Ren Tang officials during the inauguration of the medicine maker’s Brunei store on Aug 4. [Brunei Times]

Brunei has a population of 390,000, about 15 percent of which is Chinese. With a history of more than 2,000 years, TCM is widely used in East China. Its popularity in the West is growing. TCM practices include herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy and massage.

The Brunei store marks Tong Ren Tang’s fresh move to reach more global marketplaces. Products of Tong Ren Tang, a Chinese household name, can be found in 40 overseas countries and regions.

They cover all Southeast Asian nations except Myanmar and Laos. The 340-year-old company produced medicine for the imperial family during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).