TCM Goes Global

After the Chinese mainland has largely managed to contain the domestic outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, China has sent several medical teams and brought Chinese therapies to seriously-affected countries in Asia and Europe. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown a certain curative effect on the highly contagious disease, and the combination of TCM and Western medicine has proved to have an effect on confirmed cases. A growing number of Chinese medical institutions have partnered with overseas counterparts to explore treatments and vaccines, which has enhanced the visibility and reputation of TCM abroad. Official statistics showed that China exported traditional medications worth US$3.9 billion in 2018. Experts said that the lack of uniform scientific standards for TCM accepted by overseas countries is the biggest hindrance to the sector. TCM enterprises have to adjust their global strategies and take a more scientific approach toward their curative effects.