On the morning of October 17, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Traditional Medicine Conference in Beijing and delivered a speech. Li Qiang said that as President Xi Jinping pointed out in his congratulatory letter to the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine, traditional medicine is the result of human civilization. It needs to be preserved and passed on from generation to generation, and it also needs to keep pace with the times, maintain integrity and innovate. In this day and age, how should traditional medicine play its role better? In line with the development practice of traditional Chinese medicine, I will share some experiences and thoughts with you. First, traditional medicine is a unique force for protecting human health and advancing civilization. Traditional medicine comes from thousands of years of production and life practices, and is the crystallization of human wisdom in fighting disease and coexisting with nature. After long-term development, traditional medicine continues to be rich in content, and its functions and missions are expanding. It has become an important magic weapon for safeguarding life and health, an important carrier for inheriting diverse civilizations, and an important link for enhancing friendship among countries. Second, traditional Chinese medicine has embarked on a unique development path in long-term practice. The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. We adhere to integrity and innovation, not only adhering to the “root” and “soul” of traditional Chinese medicine, but also using modern technology to promote the creative transformation and innovative application of traditional Chinese medicine. We are strengthening policy support and actively promoting the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in medical institutions at all levels and in various diagnosis and treatment scenarios. We focus on eclecticism and learn from advanced ideas and techniques of outstanding traditional medicine from various countries. These valuable experiences also provide useful lessons for the development of traditional medicine in the world. Third, focus on the challenges of the times and promote the new development of traditional medicine. The international community should strengthen collaboration, integrate and make good use of the world's traditional medicine resources, and jointly address the challenges facing human health. It is necessary to strengthen scientific and technological empowerment and accelerate the innovation and development of traditional medicine. China will promote the digital transformation of traditional Chinese medicine and encourage and support the active participation of Chinese surgical research institutions and enterprises. It is necessary to have in-depth exchanges and cooperation to forge joint efforts in the development of traditional medicine. China will continue to expand the pilot opening of medical services, and is willing to work with all parties to promote the construction of a “Belt and Road” medicinal resource conservation center. It is necessary to promote inclusive sharing to better promote global health and equity. China will fulfill its responsibilities to the best of its ability and contribute to bridging the global health divide. Li Qiang pointed out that Chinese people often talk about the kindness of healers and hanging up the pot to help the world. When people are sick, they need to be treated. When the world develops problems and faces problems, it also needs to be treated. President Xi Jinping's global governance initiative is a remedy for all kinds of chaos in today's world. Traditional Chinese medicine treats diseases, emphasizes a holistic view and a harmonious view, and focuses on systematic treatment and solid management. The same goes for economic governance. All countries in the world are an organic whole. No country can stand alone. There is no model that can cure all diseases. We should have more wisdom for tolerance and reconciliation, less zero-sum game obsession, more responsibility to work together in the same boat, less shortsightedness that takes pride in our neighbors, and work together to protect the prosperity of the world.

On the morning of October 17, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Traditional Medicine Conference in Beijing and delivered a speech. Li Qiang said that as President Xi Jinping pointed out in his congratulatory letter to the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine, traditional medicine is the result of human civilization. It needs to be preserved and passed on from generation to generation, and it also needs to keep pace with the times, maintain integrity and innovate. In this day and age, how should traditional medicine play its role better? In line with the development practice of traditional Chinese medicine, I will share some experiences and thoughts with you. First, traditional medicine is a unique force for protecting human health and advancing civilization. Traditional medicine comes from thousands of years of production and life practices, and is the crystallization of human wisdom in fighting disease and coexisting with nature. After long-term development, traditional medicine continues to be rich in content, and its functions and missions are expanding. It has become an important magic weapon for safeguarding life and health, an important carrier for inheriting diverse civilizations, and an important link for enhancing friendship among countries. Second, traditional Chinese medicine has embarked on a unique development path in long-term practice. The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. We adhere to integrity and innovation, not only adhering to the “root” and “soul” of traditional Chinese medicine, but also using modern technology to promote the creative transformation and innovative application of traditional Chinese medicine. We are strengthening policy support and actively promoting the wide application of traditional Chinese medicine in medical institutions at all levels and in various diagnosis and treatment scenarios. We focus on eclecticism and learn from advanced ideas and techniques of outstanding traditional medicine from various countries. These valuable experiences also provide useful lessons for the development of traditional medicine in the world. Third, focus on the challenges of the times and promote the new development of traditional medicine. The international community should strengthen collaboration, integrate and make good use of the world's traditional medicine resources, and jointly address the challenges facing human health. It is necessary to strengthen scientific and technological empowerment and accelerate the innovation and development of traditional medicine. China will promote the digital transformation of traditional Chinese medicine and encourage and support the active participation of Chinese surgical research institutions and enterprises. It is necessary to have in-depth exchanges and cooperation to forge joint efforts in the development of traditional medicine. China will continue to expand the pilot opening of medical services, and is willing to work with all parties to promote the construction of a “Belt and Road” medicinal resource conservation center. It is necessary to promote inclusive sharing to better promote global health and equity. China will fulfill its responsibilities to the best of its ability and contribute to bridging the global health divide. Li Qiang pointed out that Chinese people often talk about the kindness of healers and hanging up the pot to help the world. When people are sick, they need to be treated. When the world develops problems and faces problems, it also needs to be treated. President Xi Jinping's global governance initiative is a remedy for all kinds of chaos in today's world. Traditional Chinese medicine treats diseases, emphasizes a holistic view and a harmonious view, and focuses on systematic treatment and solid management. The same goes for economic governance. All countries in the world are an organic whole. No country can stand alone. There is no model that can cure all diseases. We should have more wisdom for tolerance and reconciliation, less zero-sum game obsession, more responsibility to work together in the same boat, less shortsightedness that takes pride in our neighbors, and work together to protect the prosperity of the world.