Chinese political advisors have discussed measures to promote the exploration and protection of traditional Chinese medicine at a consultation session in Beijing on Nov 26.

The biweekly session was held by the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the session.

Efforts should be made in exploring and protecting TCM and promoting the high-quality development of TCM to contribute to building a healthy China, Wang said.

Ten political advisors and experts offered their proposals at the session, and more than 100 political advisors voiced their opinions via a mobile platform.

They said the development of TCM has ushered in great opportunities, but also faced acute problems such as lack of scientific research and innovation, talent and the insufficient exploration of cultural connotations of TCM.

They suggested more efforts should be made in discovering and protecting ancient TCM classics as well as folk prescriptions.

The development of TCM should be combined with modern technology and special attention should be paid to explaining the therapeutic effect of TCM with modern science, they said.

They called for the healthy development of the TCM industry and emphasized the importance of cultivating TCM talent and the internationalization of TCM.