On December 21, the Expert Advisory Committee for the Reform and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was established in Shanghai by the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SATCM), and its first plenary meeting was held.
The meeting included an appointment ceremony for committee members, an update on recent TCM reform and development progress, and a consultation session on the TCM development strategy and planning. This marks the establishment of a high-end think tank for the TCM sector, which is expected to play a crucial role in advancing the modernization of TCM governance systems and capabilities.
Key Roles of the Think Tank
Think tanks are integral to the entire policy-making process, from setting policy agendas and formulating comprehensive policy proposals to guiding public discourse, providing timely decision support, and conducting third-party evaluations of major reforms and policy effectiveness.
Leadership and Structure
The committee is chaired by Wang Guoqiang, Vice Minister of the National Health and Family Planning Commission and Director of the SATCM, with Ma Jianzhong, Deputy Director of the SATCM, serving as deputy chair. The committee also includes 7 advisors and 35 expert members (listed below).
Key Objectives and Expectations
Wang Guoqiang emphasized that the committee’s establishment aligns with the spirit of the 18th and 19th National Congresses of the Communist Party of China, aiming to enhance the democratization and scientific rigor of TCM policy-making. He outlined four key roles for the committee:
Influencing Major Decisions – Expert opinions will be sought before major TCM policy releases, and post-implementation evaluations will be conducted.
Conducting Policy Research – The committee will address key challenges in TCM reform, producing high-quality research to support policy refinement.
Guiding Reform Pilots – Experts will advise on pilot reform zones, ensuring policies are tested and refined in practice.
Shaping Public Perception – Experts will help interpret TCM policies, improving public understanding and fostering a favorable environment for TCM development.
Advisors and Expert Members
Advisors (7):
Chen Zhu (Former Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People’s Congress)
Hong Hu (Former Vice Chairman of the 11th National People’s Congress)
Li Shenming (Former Vice Chairman of the 12th NPC)
Cheng Jinpei (Standing Committee Member of the 12th CPPCC)
Zheng Xinli (Executive Vice Chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges)
Xu Shanyan (Director of the Tsinghua University Science Communication and Popularization Research Center)
Wang Yongyan (Honorary President of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering)
Expert Members (35):
(Listed alphabetically by surname)
Wang Hua, Wang Jian, Wang Hongguang, Wang Xin, Lu Shiying, Kang Aicuoqian, Liu Liang, Liu Changlin, Liu Yuanli, Liu Guoen, Liu Tingfang, Liu Weizhong, Liu Xinming, Lü Yubo, Sun Guangrong, Yan Xijun, Wu Yilong, Wu Mianhua, Song Kang, Zhang Liang, Zhang Daining, Zhang Boli, Zhang Qicheng, Li Zuojun, Du Zhichun, Yang Hongwei, Chen Keji, Chen Kaixian, Zheng Shouzan, Hu Dingxu, Rao Kequin, Xu Jianguang, Guo Qing, Liang Hong, Lou Yulou
The meeting also included discussions on the TCM development strategy, with experts providing recommendations for further refinement.
This initiative underscores the Chinese government’s commitment to strengthening TCM through evidence-based, expert-informed policymaking.
