China's first document outlining the development of traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) was officially issued Monday at the
International Conference on the Modernization of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, which opened Sunday in Chengdu.
The outline defines and clarifies the important guiding principles
for the modernization of TCM, said Li Xueyong, deputy minister of
science and technology.
The main requirements for TCM development, according to the
outline, include creating a platform for technical innovation,
boosting standardization and basic research, developing new TCM
products, promoting industrial development and protecting TCM
resources for sustainable development.
Both domestic and foreign experts attending the conference agree
TCM represents the characteristics of China's medical science and
is an important component of Chinese culture. The TCM sector has
great potential for development and the advantage to gain
intellectual property rights for its numerous products.
Li
said the Chinese government highly values the development of TCM.
By the year 2010, a modern TCM innovation system will be
established along with a series of standards and norms for modern
TCM products, a number of new TCM products and key technologies
developed, and a competitive modern TCM industry be created.
(Xinhua News
Agency November 5, 2002)