A staff member works at a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) pharmacy in Shenzhou city, north China's Hebei province, Feb. 19, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has steadily expanded its global presence in recent years, emerging as a key symbol of China's cultural diplomacy. While growth opportunities are plentiful, challenges persist in TCM's push for international recognition.

During the "two sessions," members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and deputies to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) shared insights and strategies to advance its global reach.

Healing power in action

"The efficacy of TCM speaks for itself," said Xu Fengqin, a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC and former vice president of Xiyuan Hospital at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

In 2022, Xu led a medical team to Cambodia, introducing TCM-based COVID-19 treatments and other therapies to local patients. At the China-aided Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital, her team established a TCM clinic to familiarize patients with the benefits of this centuries-old practice.

Xu recounted one particularly notable case involving a Cambodian girl who had reportedly been deaf for 20 years. After undergoing TCM treatment, she regained her hearing and tearfully called out "Mom" for the first time. Another patient, who had been reliant on a wheelchair due to an injury, was able to walk again following treatment, demonstrating that recovery doesn't always require surgery. "Patients arrived in pain but left with joy," Xu said, emphasizing TCM's transformative impact.

Over the course of a year, the medical team treated roughly 34,000 patients in Cambodia, achieving a follow-up rate of 67%. The widespread praise for TCM among Cambodian patients led to the creation of the China-Cambodia TCM Center, which now serves as a model for the localization of TCM globally.

"For TCM to flourish abroad, it must not only rely on national support to 'go global.' It needs to leverage its unique strengths to establish a lasting presence and prove its efficacy to gain recognition," Xu said. "Only then can it serve as a bridge connecting people across cultures."

The Cambodia case is just one example of TCM's expanding global presence. According to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM is now practiced in 196 countries and regions. China has signed TCM cooperation agreements with more than 40 foreign governments, regional authorities and international organizations. It has also established 30 high-quality TCM centers abroad, several international cooperation centers, and 31 national TCM service export hubs. Additionally, TCM has been incorporated into 16 free trade agreements, further embedding it into global economic frameworks.

Innovation key to overcoming barriers

Despite its growing international footprint, TCM faces hurdles in navigating divergent industry standards and regulatory frameworks, often complicating market access. Chinese enterprises have become crucial players in overcoming these challenges and advancing TCM's global reach.

Geng Funeng, a deputy to the 14th NPC and chairman of Good Doctor Pharmaceutical Group, stressed the importance of innovation, standardization, and cultural adaptation in TCM's international growth.

"Scientific innovation is key to TCM's global success. We must apply modern medical methodologies to analyze and explain traditional medicine, strengthen foundational research, and accelerate the development of new drugs. By adopting contemporary scientific language, we can align TCM with international standards," Geng said.

He also highlighted the risks to intellectual property. Many Chinese TCM enterprises operating abroad face trademark disputes and patent invalidation cases due to weak awareness and a lack of specialized personnel.

"Brand protection is crucial. Intellectual property rights are the foundation of innovation. For TCM to achieve high-quality, sustainable development, we need to intensify efforts in IP protection," he added.

Geng pointed to the Belt and Road Initiative as a promising avenue to deepen TCM's global engagement. "By helping partner countries establish regulatory systems for traditional medicine and sharing China's experience, we can enhance their health care capabilities," he said.

At the same time, he underscored the need to address language and cultural barriers. "We must leverage policy support and develop strategies to ensure TCM services and products meet the needs of local populations," he added.

Geng suggested a two-pronged approach for TCM's internationalization: Domestically, China should improve its legal framework and create a national TCM knowledge protection registry while advocating for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to introduce a "traditional medicine" classification. Internationally, China should participate in the development of regulatory frameworks and advocate for the establishment of global TCM standards.

"Our goal is to help TCM integrate into the global medical system with a more modern and international approach," Geng said.

Strengthening cooperation and cultural exchange

For Song Zhaopu, a deputy to the 14th NPC and president of Jingeng Rehabilitation Hospital in Ruzhou, Henan province, advancing TCM internationally requires not only technological innovation and standardization but also cultural exchange. Song, a sixth-generation inheritor of Song-style TCM surgical therapy — a practice recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage — has dedicated more than 40 years to TCM's development.

Last year, Song led a team on a global tour across Europe and the Americas, offering TCM treatments and conducting training programs for local practitioners. By allowing patients to experience TCM's effectiveness firsthand while nurturing local talent, Song has cultivated a new generation of international TCM practitioners. To date, he has mentored more than 10 international disciples, many of whom have established their own TCM clinics, further promoting TCM culture worldwide.

"TCM is not only a vital part of Chinese culture but also China's valuable contribution to the world," Song said. "As a millennia-old medical system that remains relevant today, TCM provides a valuable alternative for global health care."