TCM seeks global prominence

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) expert said on June 1 that health tourism focusing on TCM is showing potential, playing a significant role in TCM's innovation and its efforts to go global.

Hou Shengtian, a professor at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, said he believes that TCM tourism will become fashionable both in China and abroad.

"TCM tourism was in its infancy in China more than a decade ago, as medical tourism had become a pillar industry in some countries, said Hou at a sub-forum during the second Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia held in Qingdao, Shandong province.

A woman experiences a new style of moxibustion on June 1, 2021 during the second Global Health Expo of the Boao Forum for Asia held in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Hu Qing/chinadaily.com.cn]

He said that this emerging form of tourism was seeing signs of a boom when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

"However, the disruption of the pandemic can't hold back the rising need for cross-board medical tourism worldwide in the long run," said Hou, who is also the director of the Health Industry Research Center of the National Institute of Chinese Medicine Development and Strategy of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.

Under China's current dual-circulation development pattern, in which the domestic market is the mainstay and the domestic and foreign markets reinforce each other, Hou suggested establishing overseas TCM centers and health resorts to further promote TCM globally and enhance scientific cooperation with Western medicine.

A woman has her pulse taken by a practitioner of Chinese medicine on June 1, 2021 during the second Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia held in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Hu Qing/chinadaily.com.cn]

"Cooperation in health is a necessary part of China's efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind," he said.

TCM is one of highlights of the second Global Health Forum of the Boao Forum for Asia, which is being held from Tuesday to Friday.

A host of commercial TCM products is being displayed at a parallel exhibition, which will run until Thursday.

This year's forum is supported by the Boao Forum for Asia and the Shandong Provincial People's Government is being held both online and offline. It consists of an opening ceremony, two general meetings, 33 sub-forums, and 15 key activities.