Welcome!

On behalf of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, I am pleased to announce The 6th World Congress of Chinese Medicine 2009 Melbourne. This illustrious event will take place from 5th – 6th December 2009 in Melbourne, Australia, a city voted as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

December in Australia heralds the start of summer, a time where the promise of spring still lingers in the air, offering a warm, colourful and inviting environment. This special event is organised by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, and hosted by the Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Societies of Australia. This important event will be held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, one of the most prestigious five star hotels in Australia. It is our wish that Chinese medicine professionals will come together to work hand in hand to bring Chinese medicine to the world in order to serve humanity. We welcome you all, scholars of Chinese medicine, from all around the globe.

You may already know that in the year 2000, the state of Victoria in Australia is one of the first states in the world to successfully implement statutory regulation of Chinese medicine with the passing of the Chinese Medicine Act 2000. Since then we have seen rapid growth and development in the profession of Chinese medicine in Australia. In Victoria there are two Government funded universities and two privately operated institutions that offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degree courses in Chinese medicine. There have also been State and Commonwealth Government funding allocated for research into Chinese medicine.

After statutory regulation of Chinese medicine was implemented in Victoria, several other countries have followed in our footsteps. Chinese medicine is one of the most important elements of Chinese culture. The continuing development of Chinese medicine is extremely important. Chinese medicine has made tremendous contributions to humanity over the last three thousand years. Such a service shall not go unnoticed.

Western medicine has developed at an exceptional rate; however Chinese medicine has its own unique strengths that are unmatched. The holistic approach embodied in Chinese medicine has been demonstrated as successful time and time again. There are increasing numbers of western medical practitioners becoming interested in Chinese medicine.

The purpose of this Congress is to set a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas about Chinese medicine. It is our hope that this Congress will showcase Chinese medicine to the western world, and provide western medical practitioners with a better understanding of the scope and strengths of Chinese medicine.

I wish that in the future both Chinese medicine and Western medicine will come together to provide a better understanding of health and wellbeing, and offer a wider choice of healthcare for people of the world. Your participation in this Congress is much appreciated and will ensure this event is a fruitful one.

Professor Tzi Chiang Lin, PhD.

National President, Federation of Chinese Medicine &
Acupuncture Societies of Australia
Vice Chairman, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies
20th January 2009