China plans to intensify efforts to promote traditional Chinese medicine overseas this year while strengthening the development of pediatrics, geriatrics and critical care departments at domestic TCM hospitals, according to authorities.

Programs aimed at enhancing communication among traditional medicine specialists, improving their expertise and fostering international research projects will be launched this year as part of efforts to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the industry, authorities announced during the annual meeting of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine held in Beijing on Wednesday and Thursday.

The administration stated that it will participate in activities related to traditional medicine organized by international bodies such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, BRICS and the Group of 20 economies.

During the meeting, authorities also emphasized offering support to foreign countries to establish high-quality TCM centers overseas, dispatching more TCM professionals on international medical aid missions and advancing cooperation with ASEAN as well as Central Asian countries and regions.

They noted that the administration will continue training TCM clinical specialists in Hong Kong and help leverage TCM to support the economic development of Macao.

Regarding the domestic development of TCM, the administration revealed that about 90 percent of county-level regions in China have established government-run TCM institutions.

By the end of 2024, nearly all rural clinics in townships and counties and community healthcare service centers had set up TCM facilities as part of efforts to expand coverage and enhance the quality of TCM services.

Throughout last year, China accelerated the establishment of 62 flagship hospitals integrating TCM and Western medicine, along with 559 integration clinics.

The administration launched 160 clinical programs aimed at addressing major and complex diseases through TCM-Western medicine integration and promoted 52 diagnosis and treatment plans.

A trial program delivering TCM services to children and teenagers diagnosed with obesity or scoliosis was carried out in 52 areas last year. Meanwhile, a pilot project using TCM therapies to curb myopia among young people covered nearly 90,000 individuals.

Yu Yanhong, director of the administration, was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying that efforts are underway to establish 1,158 national specialized TCM centers, focusing on TCM's strengths in orthopedics, proctology, pediatrics and dermatology.

This year, China will prioritize the development of pediatrics, emergency medicine, critical care, rehabilitation, geriatrics and mental health departments in TCM hospitals.

As part of the national push to build closer partnerships between county hospitals and rural clinics, the administration plans to explore the creation of TCM diagnosis and treatment centers under these partnerships.