The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and Jinan area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone have achieved fruitful cooperation outcomes in widely promoting traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since 2021.

Taking advantage of Macao's international standard system for TCM and the zone's preferential policies, a Shandong-Macao TCM Cooperation Center was set up in Hengqin to carry out medical innovation and achievement transformation, market registration, and mass production of innovative new TCM products.

Aerial view of Hengqin-based Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Science & Technology Industrial Park of Cooperation Between Guangdong & Macao [Photo by Li Jianshu / Zhuhai Daily]

Shandong TCM companies, including Hongjitang Pharmaceutical Group and Fupai E-jiao (donkey-hide gelatin), have been registered in Macao. A total of 14 TCM products that have been filed in the SAR are now sold to emerging international markets in more than 10 countries and regions along the Belt and Road, such as Mozambique.

Joint TCM R&D and industrialization platforms are also being built at the cooperation zone. Shandong-Macao (Hengqin) Biomedical Technology, a joint venture by the Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Hengqin Research Institute, will establish a whole-process service system for the R&D and transformation of TCM. 

The first batch of eight outstanding post-graduates from the Shandong University of TCM was dispatched to Macau University of Science and Technology to pursue doctoral degrees. In the future, renowned senior TCM doctors from Jinan City will be recommended to practice in Hengqin, while high-quality TCM treatment technologies will be exported to Macao and regions in Southeast Asia. 

The China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone was among the six new zones set up on Aug 26, 2019. It includes Jinan and the coastal cities of Qingdao and Yantai. 

A framework agreement was signed between Hengqin and Jinan on July 13, 2021. The two regions will work together to market TCM hospital preparations, open channels for TCM to go global, cooperate on the industry-university-research level, cultivate talents, and attract key projects.