On March 30, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine jointly held the online and offline Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine and International Cooperation to Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic, under the theme of "Deepen TCM Exchanges and Cooperation, Build a Global Community of Health for All". Vice Premier of the State Council Sun Chunlan sent a video message. Political leaders and senior government officials from 28 countries and regions, including Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna, as well as WHO representatives and experts had an in-depth exchange of views via video link. Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui, member of the Party Leadership Group of the National Health Commission and Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Yu Yanhong and head of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Yu Wenming attended the forum.

Sun Chunlan pointed out that TCM is a jewel of the Chinese people. Throughout the fight against COVID-19, TCM has all along played an active role. Eight versions of diagnosis and treatment protocol for COVID-19 with Chinese characteristics were formulated by integrating TCM and Western medicine. A number of TCM such as "three medicines and three formulas" were successfully developed and proven effective in clinical practice. China has been sharing its experience of applying TCM in COVID-19 prevention and control without reservation. China is willing to work with all countries to continue to deepen cooperation in TCM basic theories, clinical efficacy and international standard, and to enable traditional and contemporary medicine to interact and draw upon each other's strength, so as to better serve the health and welfare of all humanity.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said in his speech that the forum fully demonstrated China's active role in the global cause of public health. Zimbabwe and China have signed a memorandum of understanding on traditional medicine cooperation. Zimbabwe will continue to uphold the spirit of multilateralism and firmly carry out international cooperation, contributing to the building of a global community of health for all.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said in her speech that since the establishment of the Ukraine-China strategic partnership, the two countries have witnessed sound cooperation in various areas including medicine. She expressed her gratitude for China's humanitarian assistance when Ukraine was caught in the pandemic, and said her country is willing to maintain fruitful cooperation with China and other participating countries.

Participants highly commended the unique role of TCM in treating COVID-19 cases, which has laid a foundation for the application of traditional medicine in cooperative pandemic response. The Initiative on Supporting the Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Global Fight Against COVID-19 was adopted at the meeting. All parties agreed to continue to uphold multilateralism to jointly deal with the pandemic, take stock of and promote wider adoption of good practice, and continue to use traditional medicine to protect people's health, and enhance international cooperation for the development of traditional medicine.

Source: MFA