The 4th China–South Africa International Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Successfully Held

May 13, 2024

On May 12, the 4th China–South Africa (China–SA) International Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture was successfully held under the theme "Beyond Tradition: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in South Africa." Jointly organized by Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, the Acupuncture Clinical Training Base at the University of Johannesburg, and the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Africa (CMAAA), the event aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in TCM education, research innovation, and healthcare services.

Over 200 experts and practitioners from China, South Africa, Hong Kong SAR, the United States, and Canada attended the conference. The event adopted a hybrid format with two sub-venues: one at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine and the other at the African Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Centre.

Li Xudong, Education Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in South Africa, delivers a speech. (Photo by Hu Zijing)

Li Xudong, speaking on behalf of the Embassy’s Education Section, congratulated the successful convening of the conference. He noted that during the 2023 meeting between the Presidents of China and South Africa, both sides expressed strong commitment to deepening comprehensive cooperation. Traditional Chinese Medicine, he emphasized, is not only a treasure of Chinese civilization but also of world heritage, contributing significantly to global health. He expressed hope that this conference would foster mutual learning and help build a more inclusive, effective healthcare system. The Chinese Embassy remains committed to bridging cooperation and exchange between China and South Africa.

Vice President of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Hu Lihong, speaks. (Photo by Ge Youzhi)

On behalf of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (NUCM), Vice President Hu Lihong extended congratulations. He introduced NUCM as one of the earliest higher education institutions for TCM in China—responsible for training the first generation of TCM educators, compiling the first official textbooks, and drafting the first TCM higher education curricula. Known as the "cradle of higher TCM education in New China," the university was designated in 1975 by China’s State Council and the WHO as an International Acupuncture Training Center, and in 1983 as a WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine.

NUCM is among the first universities approved by China’s Ministry of Education to enroll international students and has trained over 30,000 international learners. It currently operates four national overseas TCM centers and five international classical formula institutes, and collaborates with over 90 countries and regions. As a WHO Collaborating Center, NUCM is committed to sharing TCM experience with African nations and assisting in the training of traditional and complementary medicine practitioners across the continent, contributing to the high-quality and sustainable development of global traditional medicine.

Ms. Radmila Ryzlog, Chair of the Finance Committee at the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA), speaks. (Photo by Hu Zijing)

Ms. Rhedmila Ryzlog conveyed congratulations on behalf of AHPCSA Registrar Mr. Louis Mulinder and new Registrar Ms. Esther Pillay-Naidoo. She noted that the AHPCSA, established under the 1982 Allied Health Professions Act, oversees the regulation of 11 complementary medical professions in South Africa—including TCM and acupuncture. A professional committee for Chinese medicine and acupuncture operates under the council to maintain professional standards.

She emphasized that TCM and acupuncture play an increasingly important role in public healthcare in South Africa. The University of Johannesburg offers both undergraduate and postgraduate education in acupuncture, and its Department of Complementary Medicine contributes meaningfully to public health. She expressed deep appreciation for the support from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese Embassy, and the African Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in advancing TCM education and healthcare in South Africa.

Dr. Hu Zijing, President of the African Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, remarked that the conference marked a new milestone in the development of TCM in South Africa. He emphasized its importance as a platform for cultural exchange between China and South Africa and expressed hope for deeper integration of traditional medicines from both countries to benefit public health.

The African Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Centre, as a clinical training base for acupuncture at the University of Johannesburg, plays a key role in enhancing clinical competencies for local TCM students.

Experts and scholars from both countries conducted in-depth academic exchanges on topics including TCM education, scientific research, and healthcare services.

Sub-venue at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (Photo by Ge Youzhi)Group photo of participants (Photo by Ge Youzhi)