This Day, That Year

Item from Aug 1, 1987, in China Daily: A British doctor tries cupping on a patient at the Shanghai International Acupuncture Training Center. Several foreign doctors are attending the threemonth training course.

About 3,700 people from 60 countries have mastered traditional Chinese medicine so far.

Many foreigners are now pursuing studies in traditional Chinese medicine, one of the oldest therapies in the world.

TCM is gaining popularity worldwide because of its unique methods of treating patients, such as herbal medicine, acupuncture and massage. More than 100 countries have set up TCM institutes, with the United States and Japan investing heavily in related research.

In June, a TCM center was established at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary’s oldest medical school.

TCM companies are also eyeing the global market for further growth.

In the next five years, Beijing Tongrentang Group plans to increase investment abroad and open at least 200 overseas branches.

As of June, the company had set up 115 retail stores and clinics in 25 countries and regions, and treated more than 30 million patients.

The State Council, China’s Cabinet, issued a guideline in February on developing TCM during the 2016-30 period, and intensified efforts to expand it outside the country.