China announced detailed measures for its Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM ) information system development which will work in tandem with China’s medical and healthcare mechanisms. The information system was established to promote the role of technology in the development of traditional Chinese medicine as mentioned in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
According to a plan released by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the TCM information system will be established by 2025 to provide more benefits and convenience to the public. The plan promotes the development of smart TCM hospitals throughout the country, as well as the promotion of online TCM pharmacies and medical services. Furthermore, the service will provide flexible inter-hospital patient transfer, mutual recognition, and lab sharing. Furthermore, the Chinese government intends to improve TCM hospital examination reports and other services.
TCM is one of the most significant achievements of Chinese civilization. It is a medical science that has evolved over thousands of years. China has established and advanced TCM through research and experience while fighting a variety of diseases. TCM, with its ancient history of absorption and revolution, is not only regarded as a treatment method, but it has also had a significant impact on people’s life patterns.
TCM medicines for diseases incorporate a holistic view of harmony, individuality, simplicity, and preventative treatment because of the natural science and humanities integration. TCM improves the health of many people, and the country’s Healthy China 2030 initiative focuses on disease prevention and health promotion.
In 2016, President Xi proposed promoting medical cooperation in disease control and traditional medical care in Uzbekistan, as well as working together to build a “Silk Road of Health.” This has greatly aided the profound external communication and exchange of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as well as the development of TCM’s impact along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries and regions.
Because of the COVID-19 containment and post-pandemic recovery, China is expanding its BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) transformation with new components. The Health Silk Road is one of these new components (HSR). As demonstrated by the HSR, China is now presenting a framework for Belt and Road 3.0, an initiative that is more concerned with high-tech telecommunication infrastructure, medical equipment, and medical services, as well as other clinical IoT (Internet of things) devices.
The shift to service-oriented and high-tech sectors, as well as the increased involvement of private-owned enterprises, are two important characteristics of the HSR that distinguish it from the old BRI. The HSR was established in 2015 to strengthen healthcare collaboration between China and BRI members from Asia, Europe, and Africa.
A widespread increase in the distribution of TCM in the BRI countries would have a significant impact on the global development of public health. TCM’s advancement faces numerous challenges due to the wide range of medical care systems and cultural backgrounds. Based on an examination of TCM recognition across BRI countries, it is argued in this essay that bilateral cooperation mechanisms, people-to-people communication, and TCM innovation should be improved.
Since the BRI’s inception in 2013, the Chinese government has made a concerted effort to promote TCM as a means of promoting a healthy lifestyle along the route. Unfortunately, there are still several obstacles to the spread and exchange of TCM. To address these issues, professionals in this field must conduct extensive research and analysis on the current state of TCM along the BRI route and then delve deeper to find effective solutions.
