New institute to promote Chinese medicine

A research institute to promote the culture of and creativity in Chinese medicine has been unveiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The Institute of Chinese Medicine Culture and Creativity will be dedicated to promoting the culture and building a series of platforms to develop more programs and creative products for the public.

At the unveiling ceremony at the Shanghai Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a tour was organized for visitors to appreciate its exhibits and learn about the history of Chinese medicine. These included medicine archives inscribed on bones and a bronze acupuncture model made in 1744. The 45.8-centimeter bronze figure, in the image of an old woman, has 580 acupoints to teach acupuncture.

Visitors were also taught to make sachets filled with Chinese medicine powder suitable for the plum rain season and learn about the medicines’ effects.

Experts shared their views on the development prospects for Chinese medicine during an online forum.

According to a State Council white paper, the scale of the health industry in China featuring Chinese medicine will exceed 3 trillion yuan (US$424 billion) this year, with annual growth of 20 percent.