WHO report indicative of increasing TCM recognition

A report on traditional Chinese medicine issued by the World Health Organization is indicative of the increasing recognition TCM has been receiving around the world, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday.

A virtual meeting involving WHO experts evaluating TCM in the treatment of COVID-19 was held about a month ago.

"There are promising data to suggest that TCM is beneficial in reducing the risk of progression from mild-to-moderate cases to severe COVID-19," the WHO said in a recently released report on the meeting.

Speaking at a news conference, Zhao said TCM "has taken part comprehensively and deeply" in China's prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19.

"TCM is a treasure for the Chinese nation, as well as a valuable asset for people around the world," Zhao said, adding that China has introduced TCM treatment protocols for COVID-19 to more than 150 countries and regions.

China has also provided TCM products to more than 10 countries and regions that need them, and sent TCM experts to 29 countries and regions to help them tackle the pandemic, according to Zhao.

In January, China issued a plan to promote "quality participation" of TCM in the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the plan, China will build 30 high-quality overseas TCM centers during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) through cooperation with countries that have taken part in the Belt and Road construction, and provide quality TCM treatment for their people.

In March 2021, China held a forum on international cooperation in TCM and the global response to the pandemic, joined by officials from 28 countries and regions. The forum passed an initiative to support the application of TCM in COVID-19 prevention and control globally.

China has spared no efforts in working with people around the world to fight the pandemic, and shared with them without any reservation the experience of using TCM to tackle the pandemic, Zhao said.

"We are pleased to see that more and more countries have come to recognize the value of TCM," he said.