TCM expands influence domestically and internationally: report

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　　Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is expanding its influence domestically and internationally, along with the rise of China’s national strength, a latest blue book report showed, expressing high hope for TCM to become part of world’s mainstream medical system.

　　According to the blue book report on Chinese medicine culture and industry development (2017-18) jointly issued on March 21 by the Social Sciences Academic Press and other research institutes including the Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCM development has entered a new stage.

　　The number of TCM hospitals increased from 2,720 in 2007 to 4,566 in 2017, a rate of 67.87%, as the proportion of TCM hospitals escalated from 13.70% in 2007 to 14.70% in 2017. The number of beds at TCM hospitals climbed from 321,500 in 2007 to 951,300 in 2017, an increase of 195.89%, and the proportion of such beds expanded from 11.98% in 2007 to 15.54% by 2017, the report noted.

　　With respect to outpatient services of TCM hospitals, services increased from 257.87 million in 2007 to 528.482 million in 2017, an increase by 108.17%, the report added.

　　The report said that the TCM industry should attach importance to and improve the discourse on TCM so that more people know about and accept TCM as a medical option.

　　The report also urged to strengthen big data research on TCM. A research platform for the development of the international TCM industry should be set up as soon as possible to provide real and accurate data support for the scientific decision-making of the industry.

　　With the improvement of China’s comprehensive national strength, TCM is likely to become a mainstream health care option in the world in the future, the report concluded.