The 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine opened on December 3 in Beijing. Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, read the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony. Liu Guozhong, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and addressed the event.

Liu emphasized that President Xi’s congratulatory message fully reflects the immense importance that China places on traditional medicine and this conference. Developed by humans, traditional medicine has made significant contributions to the survival and development of humanity as well as the progress of world civilization. As an integral part of the global medical system, traditional medicine plays a unique role and holds great potential in disease treatment, health improvement, and medical inheritance and innovation.

Liu highlighted that China places great importance on the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and upholds the principles of preserving TCM’s essence while developing it in step with the trend of the times. The country has worked to ensure Chinese and Western medicine complement each other and advance together, successfully blazing a path for the development of traditional medicine with Chinese characteristics. As a responsible major country with strengths in traditional medicine, China is ready to collaborate with all parties to integrate traditional medicine into the global health system at deeper levels. Liu put forward three proposals: First, adhering to self-reliance and self-confidence. It is crucial to expand the development and application of traditional medicine, and explore development paths tailored to each country’s unique realities. Second, staying on the right course and seeking to break new ground. We should follow the general principle of medical modernization, promoting the integration and mutual advancement of traditional medicine and modern science. Third, sticking to mutual learning and exchanges. Efforts should be made to strengthen experience sharing and policy coordination, thus fostering cooperation in traditional medicine for mutual development.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus delivered a speech via video. Government officials from China and abroad, heads of relevant international organizations, experts, scholars, and representatives from medical institutions attended the opening ceremony.