The Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is part of the 7th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, was held on Sept 27 in Qufu, Shandong province to promote cultural exchanges and improve understanding of TCM culture.

The TCM forum was held for the first time during the annual Nishan Forum on World Civilizations.

The Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is part of the 7th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, is held on Sept 27 in Qufu, Shandong province. [Photo/Jinan Daily]

Embodying the significant progress made by Shandong province to further its opening-up strategy, the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations is devoted to the promotion of academic research on Confucianism, enhance exchanges between different civilizations and build a harmonious world.

During the TCM forum, medical experts and scholars from home and abroad shared their insights about the cultural characteristics and philosophical wisdom of TCM, summarized the prominent role of TCM in the global response to COVID-19, and advocated the building of a community of common health for mankind.

"TCM goes hand-in-hand with Chinese civilization. The first step in inheriting TCM is to understand the history of TCM development," said Huang Luqi, president of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences during his keynote speech.

"There are many legends about the origins and applications of TCM in ancient Chinese literature, and we need to answer the important scientific questions such as its origin," said Huang.

Participants at the TCM forum [Photo/Jinan Daily]

According to Huang, the rich and colorful medicines and drug-related relics that have been unearthed show that TCM culture is extensive and profound and has a long history.

On the basis of documented literature, the development of herbology needs to be integrated with other disciplines to provide evidence that would clarify the historical context of its development, he said.

"In the future, we should fully attach importance to the cultural status of TCM, and use TCM wisdom to benefit the world and improve human health and well-being," added Huang.

TCM is now practiced in 196 countries and regions, and China has set up 30 high-quality TCM overseas centers in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to official data.

In the future, TCM health preservation, diagnosis and treatment, scientific research and education will form a TCM health industry chain which will offer business opportunities in the construction of the Belt and Road and contribute to the building of a community of common health for mankind, said Wang Qi, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and master of TCM.