On July 25, the inaugural meeting of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Coordination Committee and the TCM Committee of the China Association for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage was held in Beijing. Xu Jialu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth and Tenth National People’s Congresses, and Zhou Tienong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Eleventh National People’s Congress, each sent congratulatory letters and messages. Sun Da, a member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with Li Jinzao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Jiang Bixin, Vice Chairman of the Constitution and Law Committee of the National People’s Congress; Zhang Boli, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and Huang Luqi, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, also attended the meeting.

In his address, Sun Da stated that the convening of the inaugural meetings of the Coordination Committee on Traditional Chinese Medicine and the TCM Committee once again underscores that the development of TCM has entered a golden era marked by favorable timing, geographical advantages, and popular support. This milestone signifies that the work of safeguarding TCM’s intangible cultural heritage has reached a new height, serving as a concrete manifestation of thoroughly implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China; of firmly establishing the “four consciousnesses,” unswervingly upholding the “four confidences,” and resolutely achieving the “two safeguards”; and of effectively carrying out the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting the Inheritance, Innovation, and Development of TCM as well as the guiding principles of the National Conference on TCM. These efforts hold significant positive implications for promoting China’s fine traditional culture and strengthening national and cultural confidence. Sun Da pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread globally, posing enormous challenges to global public health security. Against this backdrop, strengthening the protection of TCM’s intangible cultural heritage, advancing the inheritance, innovation, and development of TCM, and transforming TCM into an international public good for global health governance are of paramount practical significance. It is imperative to further elevate our political awareness, deepen our understanding of TCM’s intangible cultural heritage protection, promote the organic integration of such protection with TCM’s global outreach, and continue to intensify efforts to safeguard those projects already inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He expressed the hope that the TCM Committee of the Chinese Association for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage will take it upon itself to inherit and develop TCM’s intangible cultural heritage, unite and organize inheritors of TCM intangible cultural heritage at all levels, leverage their respective strengths to forge synergy, boldly explore new avenues while staying true to core principles and fostering innovation, and actively engage in the identification, protection, utilization, and development of outstanding TCM intangible cultural heritage. In doing so, TCM can truly become the key that unlocks the treasure trove of Chinese civilization, contributing to the health of the people and the building of a Healthy China, as well as to the enhancement of global public health and well-being and the promotion of a community of health for all humanity.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Committee of the China Association for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage is a national, academic, non-profit social organization voluntarily established under the leadership of the China Association for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, with strong support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It brings together scientific and technical professionals and management personnel engaged in the protection of TCM intangible cultural heritage nationwide, as well as institutions involved in the protection, inheritance, research, production, and operation of TCM intangible cultural heritage. The Committee serves as a vital link between the Party and the government and TCM intangible cultural heritage practitioners; it is an integral part of the China Association for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage and a significant social force in advancing the cause of TCM intangible cultural heritage in China.

Wu Zhendou, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, along with other relevant comrades, accompanied the participants in the aforementioned activities.