Successful Conference in Tianjin for ICH Working Committee Transition and Seminar on the Protection, Inheritance, and Innovative Development of TCM
Release time: Feb 4,2026
Reading volume: 1421
On January 31, 2026, the Transition Conference of the Working Committee of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intangible Cultural Heritage of WFCMS and the Seminar on the Protection, Inheritance, and Innovative Development of Traditional Medicine ICH was successfully held in Tianjin, China.
This gathering brought together nearly 300 experts, scholars, ICH bearers, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives from 15 countries and regions. Attendees included 25 national-level representative bearers, 28 representatives from national ICH protection units, 123 bearers at various levels, and representatives from 18 time-honored Chinese traditional medicine enterprises. The conference completed the transition of the Working Committee's leadership and facilitated in-depth discussions leading to broad consensus on pathways for protecting, transmitting, and innovatively developing traditional medicine ICH.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Ma Jianzhong, Chairman of WFCMS and former Deputy Director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered a speech. He emphasized the cultural essence of the work, stating the need to protect the intangible core of ICH and integrate traditional medicine into modern life to address global health challenges.
Academician Zhang Boli, an eminent Chinese medical master and Vice Chairman of WFCMS, addressed the gathering. He described traditional medicine ICH as a precious crystallization of human health wisdom and civilizational diversity—a living practice that continues to protect life and health.
Subsequently, Mr. Li Yu, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of WFCMS, announced the approval for the committee's transition and introduced the main members of the third council. Chairman Ma Jianzhong presented the appointment certificate to the newly elected President, Mr. Ma Weidong.
Vice Chairman Li Yu announces the approval for the transition
In his inaugural address, the newly appointed President Ma Weidong expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and outlined the future plans and commitments of the working committee. These include promoting the systematic protection of traditional medicine intangible cultural heritage, fostering international exchange and cooperation, and stimulating innovative vitality.
Ma Weidong delivers speech
Mr. Miao Zhihua, Director of the Pharmacopoeia Museum, also addressed the opening ceremony. He emphasized that the Pharmacopoeia Museum, as the world's first museum dedicated to pharmacopoeia culture, is collaborating with the WFCMS to jointly establish the "International Exhibition Hall for Chinese Medicine Time-Honored Brands and Intangible Cultural Heritage." He pointed out that this platform aims to deeply integrate the "hard standards" of pharmacopoeia with the "soft culture" of intangible heritage, promote mutual empowerment between academic research and industrial innovation, and showcase to the world, in a globally accessible language, the journey of Chinese medicine from "local standards" to "universal value." This initiative seeks to build a landmark stage for the living inheritance and international dissemination of Chinese medicine intangible cultural heritage.
Miao Zhihua delivers speech
The opening ceremony was presided over by Ms. Wang Lei, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Third Council of the Working Committee, and President of Tianjin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. In her opening remarks, she emphasized that the Tianjin Municipal Committee and Municipal Government attach great importance to the development of Chinese medicine, providing solid support for the living inheritance and innovation of its intangible cultural heritage.
Wang Lei hosts the conference
WFCMS entered a strategic cooperation agreement with Jin Ya Da Rentang Group Co., Ltd. Both parties will fully leverage their respective advantages—one as a global organizational platform and the other with over a century of industrial practice as a time-honored brand—to jointly build a high-level, international platform for the protection, inheritance, and innovative promotion of traditional medicine intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This collaboration marks a solid step forward for ICH-related work, transitioning from academic research and project-based protection towards systematic industrial empowerment and international dissemination.
Following the opening ceremony, thematic reports were presented by distinguished figures by Chinese medical master Zhang Daning, former Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Zhou Heping, and Professor Liu Changhua. The afternoon seminar focused on practical challenges and solutions, featuring discussions on intellectual property legislation and a roundtable forum with representatives from renowned time-honored brands.
Zhang Daning gives keynote speech
Zhou Heping gives keynote speech
Liu Changhua gives keynote speech
Round table forum
This conference served as a crucial gathering that consolidated industry insights. The new committee is committed to collaborating with global counterparts to advance the cause of traditional medicine ICH for the benefit of human health and well-being.
This gathering brought together nearly 300 experts, scholars, ICH bearers, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives from 15 countries and regions. Attendees included 25 national-level representative bearers, 28 representatives from national ICH protection units, 123 bearers at various levels, and representatives from 18 time-honored Chinese traditional medicine enterprises. The conference completed the transition of the Working Committee's leadership and facilitated in-depth discussions leading to broad consensus on pathways for protecting, transmitting, and innovatively developing traditional medicine ICH.
At the opening ceremony, Mr. Ma Jianzhong, Chairman of WFCMS and former Deputy Director of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered a speech. He emphasized the cultural essence of the work, stating the need to protect the intangible core of ICH and integrate traditional medicine into modern life to address global health challenges.
Academician Zhang Boli, an eminent Chinese medical master and Vice Chairman of WFCMS, addressed the gathering. He described traditional medicine ICH as a precious crystallization of human health wisdom and civilizational diversity—a living practice that continues to protect life and health.
Subsequently, Mr. Li Yu, Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of WFCMS, announced the approval for the committee's transition and introduced the main members of the third council. Chairman Ma Jianzhong presented the appointment certificate to the newly elected President, Mr. Ma Weidong.
Vice Chairman Li Yu announces the approval for the transition
In his inaugural address, the newly appointed President Ma Weidong expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and outlined the future plans and commitments of the working committee. These include promoting the systematic protection of traditional medicine intangible cultural heritage, fostering international exchange and cooperation, and stimulating innovative vitality.
Ma Weidong delivers speech
Mr. Miao Zhihua, Director of the Pharmacopoeia Museum, also addressed the opening ceremony. He emphasized that the Pharmacopoeia Museum, as the world's first museum dedicated to pharmacopoeia culture, is collaborating with the WFCMS to jointly establish the "International Exhibition Hall for Chinese Medicine Time-Honored Brands and Intangible Cultural Heritage." He pointed out that this platform aims to deeply integrate the "hard standards" of pharmacopoeia with the "soft culture" of intangible heritage, promote mutual empowerment between academic research and industrial innovation, and showcase to the world, in a globally accessible language, the journey of Chinese medicine from "local standards" to "universal value." This initiative seeks to build a landmark stage for the living inheritance and international dissemination of Chinese medicine intangible cultural heritage.
Miao Zhihua delivers speech
The opening ceremony was presided over by Ms. Wang Lei, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Third Council of the Working Committee, and President of Tianjin Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. In her opening remarks, she emphasized that the Tianjin Municipal Committee and Municipal Government attach great importance to the development of Chinese medicine, providing solid support for the living inheritance and innovation of its intangible cultural heritage.
Wang Lei hosts the conference
WFCMS entered a strategic cooperation agreement with Jin Ya Da Rentang Group Co., Ltd. Both parties will fully leverage their respective advantages—one as a global organizational platform and the other with over a century of industrial practice as a time-honored brand—to jointly build a high-level, international platform for the protection, inheritance, and innovative promotion of traditional medicine intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This collaboration marks a solid step forward for ICH-related work, transitioning from academic research and project-based protection towards systematic industrial empowerment and international dissemination.
Following the opening ceremony, thematic reports were presented by distinguished figures by Chinese medical master Zhang Daning, former Chinese Vice Minister of Culture Zhou Heping, and Professor Liu Changhua. The afternoon seminar focused on practical challenges and solutions, featuring discussions on intellectual property legislation and a roundtable forum with representatives from renowned time-honored brands.
Zhang Daning gives keynote speech
Zhou Heping gives keynote speech
Liu Changhua gives keynote speech
Round table forum
This conference served as a crucial gathering that consolidated industry insights. The new committee is committed to collaborating with global counterparts to advance the cause of traditional medicine ICH for the benefit of human health and well-being.
