A pharmacist dispenses traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at a health center in Qiaokou Town, Wangcheng District, Changsha, Central China's Hunan province, Jan 17, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Traditional Chinese Medicine has spread to nearly 200 countries and regions, with its global influence continuously growing, said Tang Xudong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chief researcher of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.

"As practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, we must uphold the golden signboard of TCM and effectively inherit, develop and apply this precious legacy left to us by our ancestors," Tang said in a public interview during the second session of the CPPCC National Committee on Thursday.

Tang Xudong mentioned that from treating minor ailments like the common cold to chronic and difficult diseases, TCM can all play an important role.

"The health-preserving wisdom and methods of TCM have already been integrated into the daily lives of ordinary people," he said.

He suggested increasing the promotion and application of TCM at the grassroots level, especially in benefiting the disease prevention, treatment and recovery of rural residents.

He suggested various departments to jointly strengthen the systematic quality management of Chinese herbal medicines and medicinal materials in terms of cultivation, production and distribution, ensuring that the public can consume reliable and high-quality TCM.

Tang highlighted the important role played by the combination of Chinese and Western medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that "the medical and health sectors have delivered satisfactory results".

He emphasized advancing the combined research of complex and major diseases using both Chinese and Western medicine, industrializing more TCM technological innovations and bringing benefits to the entire world.