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The opening ceremony of Traditional Chinese Medicine Week was held at Royal Society of Medicine in the evening on 28th July. Chinese Vice Minister of Ministry of Health Mr. Wang Guoqiang and concurrently Minister of China State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ambassador Fu Ying and Sir Tom of The Prince’s Charities Foundation cut the ribbons for the opening ceremony. Over 200 guests from British parliament, government, industrial and commercial sector, Chinese medicine and press circles were present at the reception.
In his speech, Vice Minister Wang Guoqiang briefed the audience on the development of traditional Chinese medicine and international cooperation. He indicated as an important activity in the last stage of China Now before the opening of Beijing Olympics, the event is aimed to display the long history of traditional Chinese medicine and the development achievements in modern times, in order to promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the field of traditional medicine. He expressed hopes the event would allow the British people to get a deeper impression of traditional Chinese medicine, and get more healthcare knowledge out of it. He believed the event would serve as a bridge for both sides to push for continuous development of traditional medicine and better serve the two peoples and the world people.
Ambassador Fu in her speech gave a brief account of the development of traditional Chinese medicine in both countries and the main contents of the exhibition. She indicated as gems and crystallization of Chinese culture, traditional Chinese medicine has contributed greatly to the procreation, prosperity and development of the Chinese nation. As an enchanting flower of world medicine treasure house, traditional Chinese medicine has also promoted progress and development of human civilization. Chinese Embassy to UK is ready to continue its efforts to play an active role in pushing for bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
On behalf of Prince Charles, Sir Tom conveyed good wishes to the opening of the event. He noted Prince Charles attaches great importance to the further fusion of traditional and modern medicine, follows closely the regulation and modernization of traditional Chinese medicine as substitution therapy, and is willing to further extend comprehensive therapy in UK. Formally established not long ago, The Prince’s Charities Foundation (China) is looking forward to strengthening cooperation with the Chinese side.
Secretary General Guo Yinghui of China Enterprises Association In Britain and founding Vice-Chairman Mrs. Hotung of Michael Eric Bosman Hotung Foundation also gave speeches as representatives of patrons. They expressed pleasure in providing support for the event and indicated their willingness to continue their active role in promoting Sino-British cultural exchanges and cooperation.
Strolling in the spacious exhibition hall of Royal Society of Medicine, groups of fashionably designed, novelly bound display boards came into view. From the history to the present status of traditional Chinese medicine, to its products, therapy concept and international cooperation, these appealing boards gave a detailed introduction of the history of traditional Chinese medicine including Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Uygur medicine and knowledge of treatment and ways to stay healthy. The two TV sets in the centre of the hall were playing documentaries introducing Chinese culture and traditional Chinese medicine, giving people visual artistic treat. In the small hall, 13 unique Thang-ga introducing Tibetan medicine attracted many guests.
Beijing Yu Sheng Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum selected 530 pieces of its collection for the event, spanning a time period of over 3,000 years from Xia, Shang dynasties to Qing Dynasty. Two thirds of the collection have never been displayed home and abroad, for instance oracle bone inscriptions of Shang Dynasty, wood slips of Han Dynasty, Ming Dynasty gold needle, horizontal inscribed board with Emperor Qianlong’s inscription, silk scroll acupuncture hanging chart during Emperor Qianlong’s reign. Many of those antiques are evidence of medical cultural exchanges between the east and west at that time and are regarded by specialists and scholars as most precious medical antiques.
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