Chinese medicine survey on cards

China will soon launch its fourth national survey on traditional Chinese medicineresources to secure the industry's sustainable development, according to a seniorhealth official.

The preparatory work has been completed and a pilot program for the survey will startsoon, covering six provinces and regions - Anhui, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Xinjiang andYunnan - according to Wang Guoqiang, vice minister of health.

Wang, also director of the state TCM administration, made the announcementyesterday at the annual gathering of the country's pharmaceutical professionals.

The last such survey, between 1983 and 1987, indicated the country had more than12,000 types of TCM resource, mostly in the wild. Experts say this is likely to havechanged after more than two decades.

Professor Huang Luqi, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Chinese MedicalSciences, said: "A new survey is crucial in drawing up major plans for TCM resources'management, protection and utilization."

Chinese medical theory is based on the body's balance and harmony. Among TCMcomponents are herbs and therapies that include acupuncture, physical exercise andremedial massage.

According to official figures, the TCM industry posted a strong performance last year,with the output value up 29.5 percent year on year to reach 317.2 billion yuan (US$50billion), exceeding that of the country's pharmaceutical industry.

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