On October 11, 1958, Chairman Mao pointed out in his instruction to the Leading Party Members' Group of the Ministry of Health on the Summary Report on the Off-duty Course for Western Medicine Doctors to Learn Traditional Chinese Medicine: “Chinese medicine and pharmacology are a great treasure-house. We should explore them and raise them to a higher level.”
President Xi Jinping’s Reply Letter to the China Medical Aid Team for Central African Republic
Comrades of the 19th China Medical Aid Team for Central African Republic,
How are you doing, everyone? I have received your letter. You have overcome difficulties in work and life in Central African Republic in providing caring services for local people. You are all angels in white to save lives and heal wounds, and messengers of friendship. As this year marks the 60th anniversary of the dispatch of the occasion when the country sent its first China Medical Aid Team abroad, I would like to extend heartfelt regards to all the comrades who are or were on China's international medical aid missions.
The Chinese people love peace and cherish lives, which is vividly illustrated by their efforts in international medical assistance. I hope you all stay true to the Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, carry forward the spirit of the China Medical Aid Team featuring no fear of hardships, willingness to dedicate, saving lives and great love("不畏艰苦、甘于奉献、救死扶伤、大爱无疆”的中国医疗队精神), benefit the local people with medical proficiency and medical ethics, better present China to the world through concrete actions, and make greater contributions to the building of a global community of health for all.
Xi Jinping
Feb. 9, 2023
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS)
Founded in 1955, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS) (former name: China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)) , is a comprehensive TCM research institution that integrates scientific research, medical treatment and education directly under the leadership of the National Administration of TCM.
It consists of 18 research institutes, 6 medical units, 1 graduate school, 3 sub-branches and academic units such as the TCM Ancient Books Publishing House and the TCM Journal.
By the end of 2021, it has more than 6,500 employees, 5 academicians (Wang Yongyan, Chen Keji, Zhang Boli, Huang Luqi and Tong Xiaolin), 7 national TCM masters (Lu Zhizheng, Chen Keji, Liu Zhiming, Xue Boshou, Zhang Boli, Yu Ying’ao and Weng Weiliang), 2 chief scientists of Qihuang Project, 27 Qihuang scholars, 4 Youth Qihuang scholars, 11 honorary principal researchers, 54 principal researchers and 2 distinguished lead researchers. With the World Health Organization (WHO), it has jointly established 3 Traditional Medicine Collaborating centers: The Center of Clinical Research and Information, The center of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and The Center of Materia Medica. The China Association for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine and the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies are all affiliated to CACMS.
Scientific research on TCM is the central task of the CACMS. In the past 60 years, CACMS has made notable achievements in the research work of TCM basic theory, the prevention and treatment of major diseases, new TCM medicines, etc. By the end of 2021, CACMS had won over 870 various scientific and technological awards at all levels, including 54 National Science and Technology Awards. The “Research on Syndrome of Blood Stasis as well as Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis” won the first prize of National Prize for the Progress in Science and Technology. The research on Artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin, which is a monumental achievement in the field of TCM, won the second prize of national invention award and was ranked among China’s top ten scientific and technological achievements. Tu Youyou, a tenured researcher, was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her outstanding contributions to the discovery of Artemisinin and its use in the treatment of malaria. She is the first Chinese scientist in mainland China and won the Nobel Prize. After that, she was awarded the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award and the Medal of the Republic in 2016 and 2019 respectively, becoming a new breakthrough in the history of awards in CACMS.
As an important window for traditional medicine exchanges, the CACMS has established national-level overseas TCM centers with five countries, including the United States, Germany, Norway, Italy and Austria; established six national-level international cooperation bases in the fields of Chinese medicine resources, rehabilitation medicine, diabetes prevention and treatment, acupuncture and moxibustion, etc.; and established the Belt and Road joint laboratories and international joint laboratories with Austria and Sweden. In recent years, it has cooperated with research institutes and universities of over 30 countries and regions relevant to the Belt and Road Initiative, and entered into 110 cooperation agreements. The CACMS contributes to the global fight against the epidemic, promotes China’s solutions, and sent China’s first TCM medical team abroad to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It has organized training seminars covering more than 100 countries, promoted the internationalization of TCM, and made positive contributions to the building of a Global Community of Health for All.
The Chinese Medical Aid Team of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Cambodia Against COVID-19
(The 1st Batch Medical Aid Team)
The Chinese Medical Aid Team of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for Cambodia Against COVID-19, the 1st batch medical aid team, consisting of 16 members, has successfully completed a one-year mission from May 17, 2022 to May 16, 2023. The team is sent by the full support of the Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS), the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the National Health Commission, and the Chinese Embassy of Cambodia. The team carries the great mission instructed by the General Secretary Xi Jinping on "inheriting the essence, adhering to the right path, accelerating the modernization and industrialization of TCM, promoting the high-quality development of TCM industry, and promoting the global outreach of TCM," thus to help Chinese culture better reach the world and to provide strong impetus for TCM to contribute to the world along the "Belt and Road".
The 1st batch medical aid team is jointly established by Xiyuan Hospital of CACMS and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The team has conducted TCM diagnosis and treatment activities based on the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital, including sharing the Chinese experience in epidemic prevention and control and TCM treatment for COVID-19 patients to continuously enhance Cambodia's comprehensive ability to respond to the epidemic, especially in the event of a large-scale outbreak. The team has actively carried out clinical diagnosis and treatment activities for diseases that TCM proves effective with relative advantages (中医优势病种, zhōnɡ yī yōu shì bìnɡ zhǒnɡ), improved the recognition of TCM in the local medical workers and the general public thus to promote TCM culture and techniques, and conducted integrative medical activities through free clinics and consultations in line with local conditions. The team also has continually carried out the training of localized TCM talents by clinical teaching, clinical observation, and training lectures, in order to reserve Cambodian talents for the localization development of TCM. The medical team was honored with the "Outstanding Collective in Foreign Aid Work" by the National Health Commission in 2022. The story of the team was selected as one of the top ten news in China-Cambodia relations announced by the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia in 2022. On May 15, 2023, Cambodian Minister of Health Mam Bunheng awarded the entire medical team with the "Royal Order of Monisaraphon" on behalf of the Cambodian King and Prime Minister. One member of the medical team was awarded the "Provincial May 1 Labor Medal for COVID-19 Prevention and Control Work".
Guang’anmen Hospital
Guang'anmen Hospital (GAMH), China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences is a tertiary Grade A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital, integrating medical care, teaching, research, and preventive healthcare. Founded in 1955, the hospital has 2 campuses that one is within the second ring road of Beijing's core area and the other in Daxing district, and 3 national regional medical centers of Baoding campus, Jinan campus, and Heilongjiang campus. Currently, it has 30 clinical departments, 7 medical technology departments, 6 national key clinical specialties (oncology, cardiovascular, rheumatology, dermatology, endocrinology, and TCM nursing), 6 national regional TCM (specialist) diagnosis and treatment centers, 5 third-level laboratories for TCM science and technology authorized by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and qualification for drug clinical trials of 18 clinical specialties.
The hospital has 3 national TCM masters, 1 academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 National Famous TCM doctors, 18 Capital Famous TCM masters in Beijing, 1 leading expert in the National High-Level Personnel Special Support Program, 3 young and middle-aged experts with outstanding contributions in the national "Hundred, Thousand, and Ten Thousand Talents Project," and 7 Qihuang scholars.
GAMH has featured its clinical application of traditional treatment modalities, such as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, tuina massage, rehabilitation training, and medicated bath. By the integration with modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods, GAMH has accumulated rich experience with featured effects in treating many diseases: malignant tumors, rheumatism, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney diseases, geriatric diseases, atrophic gastritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the digestive system and internal medicine system; hemorrhoids, fistula, colitis, colorectal cancer and other anorectal diseases; cataract, retinitis pigmentosa, optic atrophy and other fundus diseases; urolithiasis, prostate diseases and various male diseases; lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, eczema and other skin diseases; cervical spondylosis, disc prolapse and various soft tissue injuries; hepatitis, AIDS; endometriosis, pelvic inflammation, uterine myoma, children Tourette syndrome and other common gynecological and pediatric diseases..
GAMH is devoted to the inheritance and development of TCM and drawing upon the strengths of all to deliver timely, effective, safe, convenient, warm, considerate, fairly-priced and professional health care service for all the patients.
To Strengthen China-Cambodia Friendship and Build a Community of Shared Future, Guang’anmen Hospital sent a China Medical Aid Team of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cambodia
On July 4, 2023, the launching ceremony of the China Medical Aid Team of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) for Cambodia was held at Guagn’anmen Hospital. The team consists of eight doctors and nurses from Guang'anmen Hospital. Huang Luqi, deputy director general of the National Administration of TCM, academician and president of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Wei Chunyu, deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation of the National Administration of TCM, Zha Dezhong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Li Kun, vice president, and Song Ping, director of the Department of International Cooperation of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences attended the ceremony.
Huang Luqi, deputy director general of the National Administration of TCM, hoped that the team members would carry forward the spirit of the China Medical Aid Team featuring no fear of hardships, willingness to dedicate, saving lives and great love. They would give full play to the unique advantages of TCM in clinical diagnosis and treatment, promote greater development of TCM in Cambodia, demonstrate the good demeanor of the China Medical Aid Team of TCM through practical actions, serve the health of local people, and make positive contributions to building a community of human health.
Zha Dezhong, Secretary of the Party Committee of CACMS, emphasized that when facing various difficulties and challenges, the team members should cooperate sincerely, unite and forge ahead, work hard to make the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences bigger and stronger, successfully complete all tasks and return safely.
Li Kun, vice president of CACMS, hosted the launching ceremony.
Hu Yuanhui, President of Guang'anmen Hospital, said that the hospital will fully support the work of the China Medical Aid Team of TCM for Cambodia. He asked the team members to give full play to the advantages of TCM and make greater contributions to promoting the local medical and health level in Cambodia, improving the health and well-being of the local people, consolidating and facilitating the profound friendship between China and Cambodia and building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era!
Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak Hospital
China and Cambodia are traditional friendly neighbors and the people of the two countries have maintained close communication. In recent years, with the joint efforts by leaders from both countries, China-Cambodia relations have achieved historic development. In response to the results of the meeting between the leaders of the two countries to strengthen medical cooperation, and to further promote the exchanges and cooperation between China and Cambodia in the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), the Ministry of Health of Cambodia signed a cooperation agreement with the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China to send a “China medical aid team of traditional Chinese medicine for Cambodia (the 2nd batch medical aid team)” that take over the task of the "China medical aid team of TCM for Cambodia Against COVID-19 (the 1st batch medical aid team)”, and continue to carry out activities of TCM diagnosis and treatment as well as TCM culture inheritance, dissemination, training and practice in Cambodia.
The China medical aid team of traditional Chinese medicine for Cambodia is established by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CACMS), which consists of 8 excellent experts from Guang'anmen Hospital of CACMS. These medical experts come from the emergency, cardiovascular, geriatric, orthopedics, acupuncture, dermatology, preventive health care, and nursing department or specialty. They are all the backbones of clinical firstline staffs with middle and senior technical titles and high degrees of master or doctor. They have rich clinical experience in treating many diseases, such as respiratory infection, chronic bronchitis, coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmia, arteriosclerosis, chronic gastritis, reflux esophagitis, chronic diarrhea, gastrointestinal dysfunction, dyspepsia, constipation, diabetes mellitus and its complications, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular disease, facial paralysis, hemiplegia, cervical spondylosis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbar sacral small joint disorders, periarthritis of shoulder, osteoarthritis of knee joint, synovitis, soft tissue injury of limbs, fracture, frequency of urination, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, thyroid nodule, breast nodule, lung nodule, tumor, dry eye, floaters, children myopia, rhinitis, pharyngitis, oral ulcer, insomnia, headache, dermatitis, eczema, sub-health condition and others with satisfied effects.
The experienced TCM experts provide individualized protocol and bring all-round high-quality TCM diagnosis and treatment experience to the Cambodian people according to the patient's condition. Doctors will use TCM diagnostic methods such as observation, smelling & hearing, inquiry and pulse-taking, combined with modern medical examination. The treatment methods provided in the TCM Clinic include:
1. Herbal formulae(中药治疗): The clinic provides individualized herbal decoction adapting to the patient’s condition by its well-equipped TCM Chinese medicine pharmacy.
2. Acupuncture therapy(针灸疗法): Filiform needles are punctured into the body acupuncture points to regulate the function of Qi, blood and Zangfu organs through the conduction of the whole body meridians, thus to strengthen the body resistance to eliminate pathogenic factors, relieve pains, treat diseases and promote health.
3. Chinese Tuina massage(中医推拿): Guided by TCM theory, the method applies manipulations such as pressing, rubbing, kneading, and pointing on specific acupoints or parts of the body, to dredge meridians and regulate Qi and blood, so as to promote disease rehabilitation and human health.
4. TCM appropriate techniques(中医适宜技术): Guided by TCM theory, moxibustion, TCM medicated cupping, cupping, scraping, ear point pressing, medium frequency device and other traditional and modern TCM methods, work to dredge meridians, regulate Qi and blood, and regulate the function of the viscera, which have unique advantages in treating the neck, shoulder, waist and leg pains, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, insomnia, etc.
5. TCM health care guidance(中医养生保健指导): Suggestions on dietetic regulation and lifestyle formation help patients to establish a healthy lifestyle.
All the medical staff of the TCM Clinic will carry forward the spirit of the Chinese medical team featuring no fear of hardships, willingness to dedicate, saving lives and great love, give full play to the unique advantages of TCM diagnosis and treatment to serve the health of the Cambodian people, make positive contributions to deepening the profound friendship between China and Cambodia, and make new contributions to building a China-Cambodia health community of high quality, high level and high standards in the new era!