Group Photo of Guests at the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine

The 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine kicked off on Nov 30 in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Sci-Tech Innovation City in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi province. 

Cui Li, vice-president of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation Commission (GNFCC) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech.

Cui Li, vice-president of the Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation Commission of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Cui noted that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine was an important initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the SCO Summit in 2019. With the joint efforts of all parties, the traditional medicine cooperation within the organization has made important contributions to strengthening solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining regional public health security, according to Cui. Practice has proven the unique value and important role of traditional medicine, highlighting the significance of the forum in fostering a platform for exchange and cooperation in traditional medicine, she added.

Cui said that cooperation in traditional medicine has become an important manifestation of the SCO's commitment to increasing dialogue between different cultures and striving for harmonious coexistence. Continued efforts should be made to organize the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine on a regular basis to provide a communication and cooperation platform for practitioners of traditional medicine from SCO countries, she noted. Cui called for deepening academic and industrial cooperation in traditional medicine, conducting joint research, sharing research outcomes, fostering the traditional medicine industry, and advancing innovation and high-quality development of the health sector for the health and well-being of the people of SCO countries.

Yin Hong, secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee, delivers a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Yin Hong, secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee, delivered a welcome speech. He welcomed representatives from SCO countries to engage in in-depth exchanges and mutual learning and collaborative discussions, envisioning a bright future of the development of traditional medicine. 

Yin noted that Jiangxi would thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of the important speeches President Xi made during his recent inspection tour in Jiangxi, and commit to advancing the comprehensive revitalization and development of TCM and enhancing the development of the TCM industrial chain. Through the empowerment of sci-tech innovation, Jiangxi will give full play to the role of the China (Nanchang) TCM Sci-Tech Innovation City, and accelerate the construction of the National Center for TCM Advanced Manufacturing and Modern TCM Industry Innovation, to build a platform for traditional medicine exchanges and cooperation, and continuously deepen the integration and connectivity of traditional medicine cultures.

Yu Yanhong, director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Yu Yanhong, director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, said that with the joint efforts of China and various parties, TCM has been included in the joint statements between governments of China and eight countries, including Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. China is committed to developing TCM, and over the past four years, the country has seen an upgrade and expansion of medical and health resources related to TCM, as well as steady advancement of the Healthy China Initiative, according to Yu. 

China is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogue with all parties, adhere to a science and technology empowered approach, optimize diversified supplies, and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to promote the high-quality development of traditional medicine, she noted.

Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, minister of health of Kyrgyzstan, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, minister of health of Kyrgyzstan, highlighted the significance of the forum for Kyrgyzstan's ongoing legislation related to traditional medicine. He said that Kyrgyzstan attaches great importance to the development of traditional medicine and has made positive progress in traditional medicine research and training in recent years. His country is willing to enhance cooperation with China in traditional medicine for the benefit of the people of both countries, he noted.

Thet Khaing Win, Myanmar's Union Minister for Health and sports, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Myanmar's Union Minister for Health and Sports Thet Khaing Win pointed out that traditional medicine is an indispensable part of human cultural heritage and plays an important role in safeguarding human health and well-being. He said that Myanmar is willing to contribute efforts alongside all parties to the inheritance, innovation, globalization, and intellectual property rights protection of traditional medicine.

Haribol Gajurel, political advisor to the prime minister of Nepal, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Haribol Gajurel, political advisor to the prime minister of Nepal, commended China's new initiatives and achievements in traditional medicine in recent years. He said Nepal boasts a long history of traditional medicine and abundant medicinal plant resources, expressing his hope that the country will receive support and assistance from China in the use of medicinal plants.

Rahman Shah, deputy secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination of Pakistan, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Rahman Shah, deputy secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination of Pakistan, said that traditional medicine is widely used in Pakistan as complementary and alternative medicine. Pakistan has established a research laboratory for modernized use of traditional medicine at the National Institute of Health and the country is willing to work with all parties to conduct research on quality, standardization, mechanisms of action, and safety of herbal products, he added.

Lena Nanushyan, first deputy minister of health of the Republic of Armenia, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Lena Nanushyan, first deputy minister of health of the Republic of Armenia, said that Armenia attaches great importance to the combination of traditional medicine with modern technology, as well as natural products and health tourism that come with it. She expressed gratitude to China for its assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic and Armenia’s willingness to deepen health and traditional medicine cooperation with   SCO countries, including China.

Lo Veasnakir,secretary of state of the Ministry of Health of Cambodia, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Lo Veasnakir, secretary of state of the Ministry of Health of Cambodia, said that his country is ready to enhance coordination and cooperation with pharmaceutical developers, regulatory agencies, policymakers, and public health institutions in other countries. Cambodia hopes to continue strengthening cooperation with China in the field of regulation, development, and innovation of traditional medicine, so as to ensure the quality and safety of traditional medical products, he added.

Tolga Tolunay, deputy minister of health of Türkiye, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Tolga Tolunay, deputy minister of health of Türkiye, said that his country has incorporated TCM into its national health system, formulated quality and safety standards for evidence-based TCM practices, and ensured the standardized training for practitioners. Türkiye is willing to learn from China's valuable experiences in traditional medicine and contribute further to international cooperation in traditional medicine, he said.

Geethamani C. Karunarathne, additional secretary of the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Geethamani C. Karunarathne, additional secretary of the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka, said that the contributions of traditional medicine, herbal products, health supplements, and cosmetics to the international market continue to grow. Sri Lanka boasts huge potential in its traditional medicine system, and the country is willing to strengthen cooperation with SCO countries in traditional medicine for mutual benefits, she added.

Dmitry likhanov, chairman of the Russian Children's Fund, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Dmitry likhanov, chairman of the Russian Children's Fund, spoke highly of TCM, stating that TCM is a comprehensive and natural therapy. The Russian Children's Fund is willing to further promote and support certification of TCM in Russia, he said, suggesting that the first TCM health center be established in Russia to deepen the traditional friendship between China and Russia.

Kim Sungchol, head of the World Health Organization's Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Unit, delivers a video speech at the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Kim Sungchol, head of the World Health Organization’s Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine Unit, said in his video speech that traditional medicine, as an important healthcare resource, plays a core role in the health and well-being of billions of people around the world. He expressed the hope that the forum would strengthen cooperation in traditional medicine among SCO countries. The WHO is willing to work with all parties to create a healthier world and promote the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, he added.

Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine.

Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said that SCO countries attach great importance to traditional medicine and have incorporated traditional medicine research into the modern medical development system. This year, the SCO has established an expert working group on traditional medicine for SCO countries, he said, expressing confidence that the forum and the expert working group mechanism would further contribute to human health.

Themed on "Heritage, Innovation, Unity, and Collaboration for the High-Quality Development of Traditional Medicine Industry," the 2023 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Forum on Traditional Medicine was co-hosted by the GNFCC, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, and the People's Government of Jiangxi Province. 

Ye Jianchun, deputy secretary of the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee and governor of Jiangxi, presided over the opening ceremony. Attendees at the ceremony included officials from the WHO, the SCO Secretariat and health departments of SCO countries, diplomatic envoys in China, experts, scholars, and representatives from industry associations, medical schools, research institutions, medical facilities, and enterprises. 

Participants also visited China Resources Jiangzhong modern traditional Chinese medicine production base, the traditional Chinese medicine exhibition hall, and the traditional medicine industry exhibition hall during the forum.