On August 8, 2026, the 6th China UK Submmit on Advanced Traditional Chinese Medicine Academic and Clinical Exchange—the China-Europe Symposium on Cooperation and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Academic Exchange—was grandly held at St. George’s Church in central London, which has a history of over three centuries.Over 100 experts from the United Kingdom, as well as China, Germany, Austria, the United States, and Canada, participated in the event. Professor Chen Qiu, Vice President of the Sichuan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and an expert in Traditional Chinese Medicine internal medicine, was among the attendees.Professor Chen Ji, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and an expert in Acupuncture; Professor Zhang Fu-wen, an expert in ophthalmology; Professor Xiao Min, Head of the Medical Department and an expert in skin diseases; and many other prominent Chinese medicine experts, including the sixth batch of national mentors in inheriting renowned physicians’ experience and Professor Shen Qi-lin, President of the Mianyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Association,Numerous experts from the UK of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and the Dan Huang Academy also delivered academic presentations. Reporters from the People’s Daily and People’s Network, as well as scholars from the Li-Josef Institute of Cambridge University and the King’s College of the University of London, who study the overseas dissemination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, attended the event to report or conduct research.
This forum was organized by the Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of the United Kingdom (FTCMP). It was held at the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Sichuan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine). The event was jointly organized by several professional academic groups and institutions in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including the International Society of Modern Tongue Diagnosis, the Overseas Alumni Association of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the European Alumni Association of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Dan Huang School of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
At the opening ceremony of the conference, Professor Chen Zan-yu, President of the UK of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, delivered an address of welcome, elaborating on the significance of international exchanges in traditional Chinese medicine for the development of modern traditional Chinese medicine.
During the academic exchange session, experts shared insights ranging from classical and clinical studies to research and its practical applications, from Acupuncture and herbal remedies to manual therapies, from diabetes, ophthalmology, and dermatology.Insomnia treatment through Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and manual therapy. Professor Chen Qiu, Vice President of the Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine [Discussing the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes from the Perspective of Evidence and Mechanisms], combines tradition with modernity, emphasizing both scientific research and clinical practice, providing important insights, methods, and guidelines for modern Traditional Chinese Medicine in diagnosing and treating diabetes. Professor Chen Zan-yu, the President of the Association, delivered a lecture titled “Observing Jin Gui’s Treatise on Febrile Diseases through Xiao Jian Zhong Tang,” in which he provided a profound analysis of the intrinsic academic connections between Zhang Zhongjing’s teachings and the “Inner Canon” as well as the practical application methods thereof.For a long time, Professor Chen Ji has also focused on the international dissemination of traditional Chinese medicine culture, presenting his ideas on “Acupuncture Intervention Therapy for Depression and Insomnia” and sharing valuable experiences on using acupuncture to diagnose and treat this condition.He also shared an article titled “How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Cross-Cultural Experiences Become ‘Trusted Objects’,” which explores the conversion of individual trust and public trust, as well as related research on the generation of trust in the context of traditional Chinese medicine’s internationalization, starting with the experience of traditional Chinese medicine-based in-country medical treatments.
When modern people study traditional Chinese medicine, they often encounter a gap between ancient and contemporary cultures. Professor Wang Youjun, Chairman of the Academic Committee, shared his research on the core academic concepts of the “Yin-Yang and Male-Female Analysis” of the Inner Canon. The Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Ophthalmology at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has had a significant impact on modern Chinese medical academia. Retinal disease is the most important cause of blindness. Professor Zhang Fu-wen, an ophthalmology expert, shared his valuable experiences and achievements in diagnosing and treating this condition in his paper titled “The Study on the Prevention and Treatment of Retinal Disease Using a Compound Formula Combining Treatment of Emptiness and Stasis.” The unearthed medical texts corroborate the existing medical literature and historical records, demonstrating that the Chinese medical tradition has persisted uninterrupted for thousands of years, having already reached a level of maturity in both theory and practice over 2,200 years ago.Professor Liu Beinan, who serves as Vice President, shared his research on the ancient treatments of “Qi” and “Shi” from the “Tianhui Medical Manuscripts” and their historical development.
Professor Xiao Min, Director of the Medical Services Department and Chief Dermatologist at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, shared innovative practices of traditional Chinese medicine’s external therapies in the treatment of difficult-to-cure skin diseases, accompanied by illustrations that vividly demonstrated the clinical advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in treating complex skin conditions.The treatment of serious and chronic illnesses best demonstrates the clinical value of traditional Chinese medicine.Professor Shen Qilin, a curator at the Sichuan Provincial Government’s Historical and Cultural Museum, the sixth batch of national mentors in the transmission of renowned physicians’ expertise, and president of the Mianyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, presented a report on the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in diagnosing and treating major diseases.
“The tongue is the root of the heart.” The tongue is the only internal organ that can be directly observed. Examining the tongue can provide insights into the internal changes within the body.The study of the tongue in traditional Chinese medicine, which began over 2,000 years ago, has undergone significant development over nearly 500 years and has now become one of the key diagnostic methods in traditional Chinese medicine, known for its ability to discern internal conditions from external appearances. Professor Yin Hongchun, one of my advisors, has made significant contributions to the development of modern tongue diagnosis.I, Dr. Mao Haiyan, the Head of Academic Affairs, have inherited Professor Yin’s expertise in tongue diagnosis and presented a report titled “Targeted Treatment of Vertigo Based on Modern Tongue Diagnosis.”Over the past 150 years, as Western medicine has entered China and become widespread throughout the world, becoming the dominant form of medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has also spread globally, gaining widespread recognition from patients worldwide, as well as from many Western medical practitioners and numerous modern medical researchers. It has entered an era of localization in various parts of the world.Fan Zhi-chao, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General, presented reports on “The Four-in-One Approach to Rebuilding the Modern Medical Knowledge System.”
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment encompasses more than just Acupuncture and herbal medicine; it also features unique techniques for treating various types of internal and external injuries, as well as orthopedic conditions.Professor Zhou Honghai, Executive Chairman of the World Manipulative Therapy Federation, delivered a captivating lecture titled “Shoulder Anatomy: Common Conditions and Traditional Chinese Medicine Manipulative Therapy” at the conference, and demonstrated the practical application of manipulative techniques live, to warm applause.(Unfortunately, due to conference timing and other factors, Vice President Yuan Bingsheng, who is responsible for academic matters, was unable to present his report on [the clinical application experiences of the Master Li Kongding with Zhizi Chi Decoction/and some examples of my own learning and practice in clinical cases]. He will report on this topic at a later opportunity during one of our future events).
Zhao Xuejing, Vice President in Charge of Organization of The Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners UK , Zhang Hongyi, Director of Disciplinary Supervision, and Liu Quanjun, Director of External Liaison, also participated fully in all aspects of the conference. Professor Gong Ling, a consultant for the organization, as well as senior members Dr. Wang Mingbo, Ye Weiying, and Dr. Tai Guangping from Edinburgh, among many others, also attended the event and participated in some of the conference support work.
Professor Meng Fanyi, President of the European Alumni Association of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and former Director of the Acupuncture Program at Lincoln University; Dr. Huang Wenjing, Secretary-General of the European Alumni Association of Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine from Germany; and Dr. Tian Mengyuan, who conducts research on traditional Chinese medicine at the Li-Josef Institute of Cambridge University; Dr. Peng Si-han and Dr. Li Tong-yi from the Sichuan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, affiliated to Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Professor Li Zhengrong, the daughter and academic successor of the late Li Kongding, one of the 500 top Chinese medicine practitioners in the country, along with numerous practitioners, scholars, and industry professionals from Germany, Austria, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, participated and engaged in interactive exchanges.
That evening, the organizers hosted a grand reception dinner to welcome and thank the distinguished guests from Britain, as well as those from China and other regions such as Europe and Singapore, who had traveled great distances. This has not only strengthened mutual cooperation and exchange in academia, but also fostered a sense of warmth and cultural trust.
The successful holding of the 6th Sino-British Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine was not only a grand academic event, but also a successful cultural exchange – a testament to the clinical wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine taking root and blossoming on the British soil.It is to be expected that the valuable insights shared during the conference will benefit the people of the United Kingdom, Europe, and other nations. Traditional Chinese medicine carries the genetic code of Chinese civilization and is also becoming a bridge that connects global health and well-being.
(Provided by Yuan Bingsheng and Fan Zhi-Chao)