International Training Program for Portuguese‑Speaking Countries Visits Zhongjing Wanxi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Charting a New Horizon for International TCM Cooperation

On September 25, an international training delegation composed of health administrators and pharmaceutical industry practitioners from Portuguese-speaking countries including Portugal, Brazil and Angola visited Zhongjing Wanxi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Through on-site observation, in-depth exchanges and result-oriented seminars, the visit helped build a bridge for cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Approved by the National Administration of International Cooperation and Development and the Ministry of Commerce, this training program is an important component of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s “TCM Overseas Exchange and Promotion Program Plan.” It aims to implement the Belt and Road Initiative, share China’s regulatory experience in traditional medicines, and promote and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in the field of TCM. By conducting field research at TCM museums, TCM universities, and well-known TCM enterprises, participants gained an in-depth understanding of the entire industrial chain development model of TCM’s industrialization and modernization, exploring new pathways for TCM within the global healthcare system. As a representative of the inheritance and innovation of Zhongjing culture, Zhongjing Wanxi Pharmaceutical became a key site for the international training program’s inspection.

Pushing open the millennia-old door of the “Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases,” they touched the statues of ten famous physicians in the cultural square, listened to the stories of the Medical Sage practicing medicine under the cultural colonnade, explored the mysteries of Chinese medicinal materials in the Zhongjing Cultural Exhibition Hall, and witnessed the integration of ancient methods and formulas with modern technology on the intelligent production line. Listening to Zhongjing stories and experiencing Zhongjing culture, the participants observed and listened, both touring and learning, feeling the profound depth of TCM culture, which also reshape their perception of traditional Chinese medicine.

 

“These medicinal herbs look so lifelike; it’s my first time seeing the full appearance of Fructus Corni!” said António, director of Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique, astonished after learning that Xixia (Wanxi’s location) is an authentic producing area for Fructus Corn, providing about two-thirds of the nation’s output. He separately took photos with the water-soaked plant specimen and the wax leaf specimen of Fructus Corni.

“So, the modernization of Chinese traditional medicine has already reached this level; it's truly an eye-opener for me!” Pedro, a representative from the Portuguese health department, praised the rapid development of TCM technology in somewhat unfluent Chinese after seeing the intelligent production line for refined pills.

Feliciano, Director of the Science and Technology Department at Angola’s National Institute for Health Research, said after scanning the medicines’ traceability QR codes and seeing that every box could be traced to specific planting plots, harvest dates and production details: “A full-process traceability system provides a foundation of trust for traditional Chinese medicines entering international markets.”

Seeking medical knowledge at Zhongjing and jointly painting a new picture of cooperation. This inspection not only gave participants from Portuguese-speaking countries close access to a “China model” of TCM modernization, but also injected fresh momentum into the internationalization of TCM. A Zhongjing Wanxi Pharmaceutical representative said the company will use this event as a link to continue promoting the global outreach of TCM culture and technology, allowing the millennia-old wisdom of herbal medicine to contribute Zhongjin’s strength to human health and well-being.