A TCM practitioner performs moxibustion therapy. Photo: VCG

TheMKsport development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) became a widely discussed topic at China's ongoing two sessions, with deputies and political advisors highlighting its role in supporting the economy and people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries.

Zhang Boli, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and head of the Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, told the Global Times on Friday that TCM has a major role to play in China's silver economy.

"Products that truly meet the demands of the elderly still face a wide supply gap and this requires the government's attention," Zhang said, noting that China's aging population could prove to be an opportunity for the economy, which is in a transition period with shifting growth drivers.

The government has implemented several measures to bolster the role of TCM in health management for senior citizens, such as the allocation of central fiscal funds of 1.35 billion yuan ($186 million) to upgrade TCM hospitals and strengthen supply capacity, but more needs to be done to fully meet the potential consumption demand for senior citizens, according to Zhang.

Zhang proposed the establishment of a demonstration area to explore services for the elderly featuring TCM, encouraging integration between industry, schools and research institutions, and attaching greater importance to promoting the application of elderly-oriented products.

Specifically, promoting medicated diets and TCM-assisted rehabilitation devices in community centers for the elderly could further tap the underpinning effects of TCM on the silver economy, Zhang said.

The scale of the silver economy in China stands at approximately 7 trillion yuan ($972 billion), accounting for 6 percent of the GDP. It is expected to reach 30 trillion yuan by 2035, according to a research center under the China National Committee on Ageing.

Besides its role as a potent economic driver, TCM's role in enhancing people-to-people exchange is also being highlighted at the two sessions.

Xu Fengqin, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said on Friday that TCM nowadays has left footprints in 196 countries and regions around the world due to its effectiveness.

Through its unique charm and strengths, TCM has continued to promote Chinese civilization and its exchanges with the world's civilizations, contributing Chinese prescriptions and Chinese wisdom to the world, Xu said during a group interview ahead of the second plenary meeting of the third session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xu, who carried out medical tasks in Cambodia as a member of a Chinese medical team in 2022, said they treated a total of 34,000 patients during their one-year service, and TCM has earned a great reputation among the locals through its effectiveness in a concrete example of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In addition to Zhang and Xu, a number of NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members have brought their proposals and suggestions to promote the further development of TCM. Some suggested its integration with technology while others highlighted the need to deepen research on TCM classic pharmacopoeia.

Fostering the development of TCM is a national strategy in China.

Last August, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced plans to promote the integration of digital technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence, into the development of TCM.