Wang Guoqiang, vice-minister of China’s National Health and Family Planning Commission told a gathering recently that research institutes, universities, medical institutes, financial institutions and enterprises need to cooperate for technological innovations in Traditional Chinese medicine and that the government needs to spend more on advanced technology and building a platform for sharing scientific research.

 Wang made the comment at the 11th International Congress on Collateral Disease Theory, in the city of Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, where he noted, “Innovation is the driving force in the development of TCM health services and should combine Traditional Chinese Medical theory with new technologies and techniques that suit a changing society.”

Wand went on to say that government should make market access easier and give priority to Chinese medicine hospitals, clinics and outpatient departments and establish a skill appraisal mechanism for TCM health services and support the development of TCM healthcare and standardize its services.