At the grand hall of the Korean Medical University, after a round of speeches by the presidents and chairmen of various medical associations from different countries, the main topic of discussion revolved around how to integrate traditional medicine into future development, creating a harmonious coexistence with Western medicine.
Of course, such traditional medicine exchange conferences, in essence, were aimed at promoting joint cooperation among medical associations of various countries!
As for the future development direction and how to promote traditional medicine, it was merely a topic placed on the table for discussion, without any practical application.
"So, these people are merely using the exchange conference as an opportunity to tour Country H and then return without anything significant happening, is that the gist of it?" Wan Yunting, seated below, seemed to have grasped the true nature of the exchange conference, finding it rather exasperating.
"More or less."
Chen Jiadong nodded with a smile and said, "After all, the preservation of traditional medicine is something primarily for Asian countries. Compared to Western nations, even though our traditional Chinese medicine has spread there, Westerners still refer to our traditional medicine as witchcraft."
Yuan Jingguo also chimed in, "To say it's useless wouldn't be entirely accurate, but to say it's useful is also not quite right. However, when it comes to usefulness, the infighting among these various national medical associations makes it impossible to guard against."
Wan Yunting sat with his legs crossed, looking at Zheng Minji, the chairman of the Korean Medical Association, who was still on stage, holding the microphone and speaking volubly. He truly wondered about the significance of such an exchange conference.
However, Zheng Minji brought up a topic and said, "Distinguished representatives from various countries, the status of our traditional medicine within the World Health Organization has been consistently declining! It is estimated that within a few years, it might be expelled from the organization!"
Zheng Minji's expression was solemn as he surveyed Wan Yunting and the presidents and chairmen of other national medical associations seated below. He spoke with heartfelt sincerity, "Everyone, we must contribute to our traditional medicine, even if it's just to enhance our status and prestige within the World Health Organization. This would be immensely beneficial for the future development of traditional medicine."
This topic caused a stir among everyone present, leading to hushed conversations and discussions...
Although the World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations, responsible for guiding and coordinating international health and medical matters, with the aim of enabling all peoples of the world to attain the highest possible level of health!
Although the World Health Organization is primarily guided by science, with Western medicine and scientific healthcare at its core, to prevent global public health events!
However, traditional medicine was incorporated into the organization since its establishment. It's just that the status of traditional medicine within the Health Organization is indeed very low, almost transparent.
After all, in today's society, scientific healthcare is what is emphasized!
And traditional medicine is only of some use to Asian countries and others. Western countries simply do not believe in this concept of traditional medicine. Even now, people in Western countries still consider Chinese traditional medicine as witchcraft.
Of course, in recent years, with the spread of traditional medicine worldwide, many Western countries have seen the emergence of Chinese medicine clinics, and even many foreigners have experienced the miraculous efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine treatments, thus sparking a keen interest in traditional medicine among a minority of Westerners.
Even domestically, there are instances of foreigners using Chinese traditional medicine, indicating that our traditional medicine has indeed gained recognition from a minority of Westerners.
But it is only a minority!
"Therefore, I propose that our traditional medicine associations should form a Traditional Medicine Alliance!" Zheng Minji stated, holding up a finger on stage, addressing everyone present.
"Traditional Medicine Alliance?"
Upon hearing this suggestion, a wave of murmurs swept through the audience.
Wan Yunting, Li Tiangui, Chen Jiadong, and Yuan Jingguo exchanged glances, unsure of Zheng Minji's intentions!
"That's right, the Traditional Medicine Alliance."
Zheng Minji's gaze swept seriously across everyone present, and he stated earnestly, "Our Traditional Medicine Alliance will primarily be responsible for the future development and promotion of traditional medicine, tasked with disseminating our traditional medical culture to Western countries, and making Westerners accept our traditional medicine. This is the mission of our Traditional Medicine Alliance!"
In essence, it was similar to the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association promoting traditional medical culture to the Chinese people, aiming for public acceptance and recognition.
However, the Traditional Medicine Alliance that Zheng Minji spoke of was on a global scale!
"Chairman Zheng has indeed proposed a useful suggestion!" Li Tiangui nodded and smiled.
"Yes."
Chen Jiadong had not expected Zheng Minji to propose the formation of a Traditional Medicine Alliance. He said, "In past exchange conferences, it was mainly about representatives from various countries boasting about themselves, then sending representatives for medical exchanges, and that would be it."
"If Chairman Zheng of the Korean Medical Association establishes this Traditional Medicine Alliance to transmit traditional medical culture to the world, and if this plan is truly realized, it would be a good thing." Yuan Jingguo turned to Wan Yunting and said.
He squinted his eyes, watching Zheng Minji detail the plan on stage, yet he remained somewhat perplexed!
Because he was unsure if Sima Boyong was behind Zheng Minji!
The presidents and chairmen of other national medical associations present were also discussing with their respective team members, and they all expressed approval of Zheng Minji's proposal to form the Traditional Medicine Alliance.
"Chairman Zheng, since you proposed the establishment of the Traditional Medicine Alliance, then this alliance must elect a president, right?" Ishihara Taro, the president of the Japanese Kampo Medicine Association, said to Zheng Minji on stage.
"Yes, a president is indeed needed, perhaps a chairman to preside over it." Presidents and chairmen of other national medical associations also chimed in in agreement.
Li Tiangui, Wan Yunting, and a few others exchanged glances. Zheng Minji on stage nodded and said, "To establish the Traditional Medicine Alliance, it is natural to elect a president and vice-presidents to oversee the work. Simultaneously, I personally suggest that the country of the elected president be designated as the headquarters of the Traditional Medicine Alliance!"
"I think that's a good idea..."
Ishihara Taro, Nguyen Van The, the president of the Southern Medical Association of Vietnam, and the presidents and chairmen of other national medical associations all nodded in agreement with this suggestion.
Subsequently, Zheng Minji's gaze shifted to Wan Yunting, and he asked with a smile, "Chairman Wan, do you, as the representative of the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association, have any opinions?"
Members of the various national medical associations seated around them turned their attention to Wan Yunting. He smiled at Zheng Minji on stage and said, "Chairman Zheng's suggestion to establish this Traditional Medicine Alliance is naturally agreed upon by the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association, and we are very supportive."
Li Tiangui and Yuan Jingguo nodded in support, but Chen Jiadong asked, "Since we are discussing the selection of the Alliance president, by what method will Chairman Zheng select the president of the Alliance?"
Ishihara Taro, the president of the Japanese Kampo Medicine Association, seated on the left, interjected with a laugh, "Given the qualifications of our Japanese Kampo Medicine Association, the first president of the Alliance should naturally be elected by us!"
This statement immediately drew a rebuttal from Pasong Chalermpong, the president of the Thai Ancient Medicine Association, who said, "President Ishihara, aren't you being a bit too confident? Does our Thai Ancient Medicine Association lose out to yours?"
"That's right, if we're talking about the lineage of traditional medicine, then our Indian Ayurveda is the ancestor of your traditional medicines!" A middle-aged member of the Indian Ayurveda Association declared with pride, offering a counterargument.
"Chairman Kilmihan, what your people are saying is excessive!"
Ishihara Taro turned to face Kilmihan, the president of the Ayurveda Association, and said, "Your Indian Ayurveda has different concepts from our Kampo medicine. Yours emphasizes a Buddhist medical system, while our Kampo medicine primarily focuses on studying human physiology, pathology, and the diagnosis and prevention of diseases, mainly using herbal medicine for conditioning. Even the acupuncture techniques you use were later learned from Chinese traditional medicine."
Kilmihan slowly turned his head, his aged eyes looking at President Ishihara Taro, and said with a smile, "If President Ishihara is going to put it that way, then isn't your Kampo medicine also derived from Chinese traditional medicine?"
This statement left Ishihara Taro speechless. He couldn't help but glance at Wan Yunting and Li Tiangui from the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association seated in the first row. Although he was reluctant to admit that his country's Kampo medicine originated from Chinese traditional medicine, historical facts were just that.
Even Nguyen Van The, the president of the Southern Association of Vietnam, fell silent. After all, as neighbors of China, they had learned much of their culture from China, including aspects of language and medicine, which was something they had to acknowledge!
At this moment, Jin Xueyu, from the Korean Medical Association, seated on the right, said with a smile, "This suggestion for the Traditional Medicine Alliance was proposed by our Chairman Zheng. Therefore, the first president should naturally be our Chairman Zheng!"
Upon hearing this, the presidents and chairmen of the various national medical associations in the first row turned their gazes towards Zheng Minji on stage...
Suddenly, Pasong Chalermpong, the president of the Thai Ancient Medicine Association, stood up and declared loudly, "I believe that the first president of the Traditional Medicine Alliance should be Chairman Wan of the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association!"
The presidents and chairmen of the various national medical associations present exchanged glances upon hearing Pasong Chalermpong's suggestion, and discussions erupted...
Jin Xueyu glanced at Pasong Chalermpong with disdain, then looked at Wan Yunting, who was sitting there with a smile and remaining silent. Jin Xueyu sneered with a hint of provocation, "Is the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association capable of holding the position of president?"
Lu Dashun and Li Wenhai, seated in the second row, immediately stood up upon hearing this and pointed at Jin Xueyu, shouting, "Why can't our Chairman Wan be the president of the Alliance? Historically speaking, your Korean medicine is but a branch of our Chinese traditional medicine!"
"Exactly, our Chinese traditional medicine is the ancestor of your Korean medicine."
Li Tianyi glanced at Jin Xueyu with utter contempt, crossed his arms, and snorted dismissively.
"Who can prove that our Korean medicine is a branch of your Chinese traditional medicine?"
At this, Zheng Xiuyan stood up, turned around, and glared at Li Tianyi and Lu Dashun with her willow-like eyes, wanting to vindicate Korean medicine. "Don't bring up your Chinese history. After all, words are spoken by people. We can also say that your Chinese traditional medicine learned from our Korean medicine!"
"That's right."
Seeing Zheng Xiuyan stand up to support him, Jin Xueyu's face became even more proud. He looked at Wan Yunting, Li Tiangui, and the members of the Chinese Traditional Medicine Association with eyes full of provocation. This enraged Lu Dashun and Li Wenhai, their faces darkening with anger...