Traditional Chinese Medicine Gains Global Recognition Through Cambodia Initiative

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has now been introduced to 196 different countries and regions, gaining international appreciation thanks to its unique benefits and notable effectiveness, according to Xu Fengqin, a member of China's top political advisory body. Speaking on Friday, Xu shared her experiences from 2022, when she led China's first TCM group into Cambodia to assist with epidemic prevention measures and deliver traditional Chinese medical treatments to local residents.

Xu, previously vice-president at Beijing's Xiyuan Hospital, affiliated with the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, emphasized the significant impact TCM had on Cambodia. She recounted how Cambodians initially had no knowledge of Chinese medicine, yet soon embraced it after directly experiencing its effectiveness. This led to increased interest and a greater willingness among locals to explore and benefit from TCM care provided by the visiting team.

One particularly inspiring story involved a Cambodian woman who had significant hearing impairment for over twenty years. Receiving care from the Chinese medical group, she gradually regained her hearing, dramatically improving her quality of life. This became an exemplary achievement that illustrated clearly the potential benefits of TCM treatments.

In the year following their arrival, Chinese medical practitioners conducted 34,000 consultations, with a notably high patient revisit rate of 67%, suggesting sustained trust and satisfaction among those treated. Eventually, the collaboration between the two countries led to the establishment of a joint China-Cambodia team focused on TCM. Cambodian medical personnel underwent training in traditional Chinese therapeutic techniques, further integrating TCM into the local healthcare landscape. Furthermore, a Chinese pharmaceutical enterprise identified an innovative antiviral ingredient in a local traditional Cambodian soup, highlighting the mutual learning arising from this initiative.

Xu described these successes as an excellent model of how TCM can effectively spread beyond China's borders. She reinforced the idea that beneficial medical traditions such as TCM have the capacity to transcend cultures and geographic boundaries, earning widespread global acceptance. Xu believes TCM not only promotes understanding and appreciation of Chinese heritage but also encourages dialogue and interaction between global civilizations, contributing positively toward a shared future for all societies.