People's Daily
On October 25, 2024, the 21st World Congress of Chinese Medicine, hosted by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (hereinafter "WFCMS"), grandly opened at Hall I of the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
The theme of this congress is "Promoting Mutual Learning between Eastern and Western Civilizations, and Advancing Global Sharing of Traditional Chinese Medicine". It attracted nearly 1,000 TCM experts, scholars, government officials, and business representatives from 34 countries and regions, including China, Singapore, the United States, Australia, France, Japan, Brazil, Canada, Thailand, Spain, Greece, New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Cambodia, Bulgaria, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, Mozambique, Vietnam, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, San Marino, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The opening ceremony and keynote speeches were broadcast live globally through the official UNESCO platform, the WFCMS WeChat video channel, China.com, Baidu Live, and Weibo, with over 5 million views.
Zhang Boli, Vice President of the WFCMS and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Wu Wanlin, President of the France-Chinese Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered welcome speeches at the opening ceremony. Huang Luqi, Vice Director of the National Administration of TCM and Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician, attended and spoke at the opening ceremony, along with Qu Xing, UNESCO Deputy Director-General; Chen Li, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France; Yang Xinyu, China’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO; Li Yachan, WHO Traditional Medicine Officer; Josiane Gaude, representative of the French Ministry of Culture and First Deputy Mayor of Paris’s 7th Arrondissement; Éric Alauzet, former President of the France-China Friendship Group of the National Assembly and Co-Chair of the 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations Celebrity Committee; and Cheng Jie, Chairman of Dong’e Ejiao Co., Ltd. The opening ceremony was co-hosted by Xu Chunbo, Deputy Secretary-General of WFCMS, and Cheng Xiaolin, Vice President of the France-China Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In his welcome speech, Zhang Boli, Vice President of WFCMS, noted that TCM has spread to 196 countries and regions, becoming a key area of cooperation between China and ASEAN, the EU, the African Union, CELAC, SCO, BRICS, and other regional mechanisms. Over one-third of the global population has received TCM treatments, including acupuncture and tuina massage. TCM has become an important component in building a global health community. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, TCM delivered an outstanding performance. Zhang Boli stated that the World Congress on Chinese Medicine, a flagship international TCM conference hosted by WFCMS, has been successfully held 20 times worldwide. This year, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the recent Summer Olympics in Paris, the event holds significant importance. The 21st World Congress of Chinese Medicine, held in Paris, carries great significance with the theme “Promoting Mutual Learning Between Chinese and Western Civilizations, Advancing the Global Sharing of Chinese Medicine,” fostering broad exchanges and collaborative development with global TCM experts. It is hoped that through this congress, WFCMS members, branches, and global TCM practitioners can strive forward, promoting TCM’s innovative development and contributing to human health and global health governance.
Zhang Boli, WFCMS Vice President and Academician, delivers welcome speech
Wu Wanlin, President of the France-China Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated in her welcome speech that TCM is gaining increasing global recognition, and the center, established in 2018, is dedicated to building a medical bridge between China and France, promoting TCM’s global dissemination through research cooperation, disease prevention, and talent cultivation. The center actively responds to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, striving to build an international integrated medicine platform to promote the industrialization, standardization, and internationalization of TCM.
Wu Wanlin, President of the France-China Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivers welcome speech
Huang Luqi, Vice Director of the National Administration of TCM and Chinese Academy of Engineering Academician, noted that TCM has spread to 196 countries, with China signing TCM cooperation agreements with over 40 foreign governments and organizations, establishing overseas TCM centers, and achieving WHO primary clinical trial registry status for its evidence-based medicine platform. ISO issued 113 TCM standards, and “Chinese Acupuncture,” “Tibetan Medicinal Bathing”, and “Tai Chi” are UNESCO intangible cultural heritage, with Huangdi Neijing, Compendium of Materia Medica, and Four Medical Tantras in the Memory of the World Register. During COVID-19, TCM provided Chinese wisdom and solutions, with WHO affirming its safety and efficacy in treatment. TCM has become a shining symbol for cultural exchanges and a new growth pole for health cooperation. As a major global TCM organization, WFCMS promotes international TCM exchange and cooperation, with this congress providing a high-level platform for sharing wisdom and collaboration among global TCM managers and practitioners.
Huang Luqi, Vice Director of the National Administration of TCM and Academician, delivers speech
Qu Xing, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, stated that UNESCO’s 2021 recommendation encourages international cooperation to address contemporary challenges through diverse knowledge systems. Examples like Tu Youyou, who, inspired by TCM, addressed malaria and won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine and the 2019 UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Prize, show traditional medicine’s contributions to modern medicine. This congress is an opportunity to build bridges between traditional and modern medicine, benefiting more people with TCM wisdom.
Qu Xing, UNESCO Deputy Director-General, delivers speech
Chen Li, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, stated that TCM, a key representative of Chinese civilization, is a medical science developed over thousands of years through Chinese people’s life practices and disease struggles. It has contributed to the Chinese nation’s prosperity and positively impacted world civilization. The Chinese government strongly supports TCM development, with integrated Chinese-Western medicine being a key feature of China’s health system, and actively promotes TCM globally to benefit the world.
Chen Li, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in France, delivers speech
Yang Xinyu, China’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, noted that China plays a key role in traditional medicine’s global development, promoting holistic health rooted in harmony with nature. Global attention to traditional medicine is growing, with research proving its efficacy, especially for hypertension and antibiotic resistance, offering sustainable health solutions. UNESCO promotes global cooperation, and China supports its mission, achieving significant results in education, science, and culture, advancing peace and sustainable development in developing countries.
Yang Xinyu, China’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, delivers speech
Li Yachan, WHO Traditional Medicine Officer, stated that China’s development of traditional medicine is remarkable, focusing on high-quality development, improving accessibility, and enhancing service quality. The establishment of TCM hospitals and community-level TCM services has significantly improved national healthcare accessibility. These achievements align with WHO’s goals of integrating traditional medicine into national health systems, particularly primary healthcare, to enhance accessibility and resilience. China sets an example for traditional medicine development.
Li Yachan, WHO Traditional Medicine Officer, delivers speech
Josiane Gaude, representative of the French Ministry of Culture and First Deputy Mayor of Paris’s 7th Arrondissement, stated that this congress is an important platform for promoting exchanges between TCM, modern medicine, and Western civilization. In globalization, TCM’s traditional lifestyle and philosophy can benefit the world and promote East-West cultural exchanges for global health.
Josiane Gaude, representative of the French Ministry of Culture and First Deputy Mayor, delivers speech
Éric Alauzet, former President of the France-China Friendship Group and Co-Chair of the 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations Celebrity Committee, stated that TCM bridges humans and nature, benefiting people worldwide. Infectious diseases like COVID-19 are major challenges, and global participation in treatment promotes international cooperation and development.
Éric Alauzet, former President of the France-China Friendship Group and Co-Chair of the 60th Anniversary of China-France Diplomatic Relations Celebrity Committee, delivers speech
Cheng Jie, Chairman of Dong’e Ejiao, stated that TCM culture, with its long history, is a key bridge for cultural exchanges and mutual learning, playing a significant role in the Health Silk Road, Belt and Road Initiative, and global health community. Dong’e Ejiao, part of China Resources Group, has made TCM inheritance and innovation a strategic mission, promoting global TCM sharing and cultural exchange.
Cheng Jie, Chairman of Dong’e Ejiao, delivers speech
The opening ceremony included unveiling ceremonies for the France TCM Museum and the China Time-Honored Brand TCM Overseas Cultural Center (France).
Unveiling Ceremony for the France TCM Museum
Unveiling Ceremony for the China Time-Honored Brand TCM Overseas Cultural Center (France)
Xu Chunbo, WFCMS Deputy Secretary-General, and Cheng Xiaolin, Vice President of the France-China Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, co-host the opening ceremony
In the keynote session, Zhang Boli (China) delivered Upholding Integrity and Innovation to Promote TCM’s High-Quality Development; Sohel Saikat (WHO) delivered Building Health System Resilience: The Role of Traditional and Complementary Medicine; Yves Thierry (France) delivered Integrating TCM with Modern Western Medicine; Liu Liang (Macau, China) delivered TCM’s Contributions to Global Medical Development; Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée (France) delivered TCM-Based Emotional Research Methods; Guo Jiao (China) delivered Scientific Connotations of Glycolipid Metabolic Diseases and Prevention Systems; Zhao Zhongzhen (Hong Kong, China) delivered There is a World in Materia Medica; François Hubert (France) delivered Registration Strategies for Herbal Products in France; Gu Zhishan (China) delivered Tracing TCM’s Roots; Bangrazi (Italy) delivered Development of Acupuncture in Europe; Zhai Huaqiang (China) delivered TCM Internationalization: Inheritance and Innovation in Decoction Techniques; and Noël Marchier (France) delivered Acupuncture in Practice, Teaching, and Research. The keynote session was chaired by Ramon (Spain), Tang Zhishu (China), Zhu Miansheng (France), Schaudinger (Germany), Lin Rongsheng (USA), and Yves Jamont (France).
Zhang Boli, WFCMS Vice President and Academician, delivers report
Sohel Saikat, WHO Senior Advisor for Primary Health Care, Universal Health Coverage, Health System Resilience, and Essential Public Health Functions, delivers report
Yves Thierry, Vice President of the France-China Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivers report
Liu Liang, Academician and Director of TCM Syndrome Lab, delivers report
Elisabeth Rochat de la Vallée, Founder of European Acupuncture School, delivers report
Guo Jiao, Professor from Guangdong Pharmaceutical University and Qihuang Scholar, delivers report
Zhao Zhongzhen, Emeritus Professor, delivers report
François Hubert, Toxicologist, delivers report
Gu Zhishan, Longsha Medical School Inheritor, delivers report
Bangrazi, President of Italian Acupuncture and TCM Association, delivers report
Zhai Huaqiang, Professor at Beijing University of TCM, delivers report
Noël Marchier, General Practitioner and Acupuncturist, delivers report
Ramon and Tang Zhishu chair the keynote session
Zhu Miansheng and Schaudinger chair the keynote session
Lin Rongsheng and Yves Jamont chair the keynote session
Also attending were Wu Zhendou, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the National Administration of TCM; Wang Ying, Deputy Representative of China to UNESCO; Liu Hongge, President of the Paris China Cultural Center; WFCMS Council Vice Presidents He Jialang (Italy), Wu Binjiang (Canada), Xu Zhifeng (New Zealand), Ye Fukun (Brazil), Huang Xiansheng (USA), Lin Danqian (Thailand), Wu Jiasheng (Singapore), Tian Haihe (USA), Liu Chijing (Australia), Fang Fang (Brazil), Zheng Jianhua (Australia); WFCMS Supervisory Board Vice Presidents Lin Ziqiang (Australia), Zhao Yingjie (Singapore), Yu Funian (Hungary), Ma Xue (USA), Cui Pengde (New Zealand), Han Jingyan (China), Wang Shoudong (China), Frank (Italy); WFCMS Deputy Secretaries-General Chen Lixin and Pan Ping; Ma Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Chinese Medicine; Cheng Haibo, President of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine; Liu Songlin, President of Hubei University of Chinese Medicine; Peng Daiyin, former President of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine; Alain Beaumard, Mayor of Châtillon, France Central Region; and Jean-Pierre Armand, Julia, Laura Alessi, Jean-Pierre Desgroseillers, Philippe Marchand, Alain Pacoret, Xu Bo, Li Guangdou from French institutions; Wang Chunsheng, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of World Chinese Medicine (France Edition); Zhong Cheng, President of Nouvelles d’Europe; and presidents, vice presidents, secretaries-general of WFCMS committees, and global TCM colleagues.
Conference venue
During the congress, events include the WFCMS 5th Third Council Meeting, Executive Council Meeting, Supervisory Board Meeting, academic sessions (I, II, III), 3rd International Forum on Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, 7th World TCM Education Congress, 9th Forum on Glycolipid Metabolic Diseases and WFCMS Metabolic Disease Committee 6th Annual Meeting, 11th Forum on TCM and Respiratory Diseases, Pan-European TCM Experts session, Italian TCM Acupuncture Forum, WFCMS Five Elements and Six Qi Committee 2024 Meeting and Longsha Medical Techniques International Exchange, TCM Gynecology (Assisted Reproduction) Forum, 1st Forum on New TCM Development Tracks, non-oral therapy session, academic sessions (I, II, IV), dispensing seminar, France session, Pan-European TCM Experts session, Italian TCM Acupuncture Forum, WFCMS Five Elements and Six Qi Committee 2024 Meeting and Longsha Medical Techniques International Exchange, WFCMS TCM Diagnostics Committee 10th Annual Meeting, Cardiovascular Disease Industry-Education Seminar, workshops, signing sessions, and the International Master-Apprentice Program ceremony, with multiple academic reports.
Organized by the France- China Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine (CFCMC), co-organized by the China-France TCM Center (Seine) and KNP Group, supported by the Chinese Embassy in France and China’s UNESCO Delegation.
News Source: People's Daily
https://m.tech.china.com/redian/2024/1029/102024_1595193.html
