Chen Wu, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), led a team to survey Central China's Henan province on its promotion of the inheritance and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from April 7 to 10. 

With members of the Committee on Education, Science, Health and Sports of the CPPCC National Committee on board, the survey was part of preparations for the upcoming bi-weekly consultation meeting, an effective way to promote consultative democracy for CPPCC members. 

The team visited the Henan Provincial Hospital of TCM, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Xinyang Central Hospital, Henan Lingrui Pharmaceutical Co, the Zhang Zhongjing Medical Museum, and a local rural health center. The team members held multiple symposiums and engaged in discussions with officials of relevant organizations to comprehensively understand the achievements, existing problems and suggestions for promoting the development of TCM. 

During the survey trip, Chen said that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, substantial and effective work has been carried out to promote the inheritance and innovative development of TCM, making positive contributions to the revitalization and development of the industry. 

Noting that TCM is a great creation of the Chinese nation and an important health, economic, technological and cultural resource, Chen said that promoting the inheritance and innovative development of TCM is an important part of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. 

While underlining the importance of technological innovation in promoting the development of the sector, he called for efforts to further enhance the level of theoretical research, disease prevention and treatment, talent cultivation and industrial innovation, accelerate the high-quality development of TCM, better serve the building of a Healthy China, and continuously enhance the people's health and well-being.