Review of the Previous Congresses
The First International Congress of Traditional Medicine (ICTM) was held in Beijing, China, 2004. The congress was organized by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) and hosted by China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (now known as China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences). The theme was ‘Traditional medicine and human health’. More than 2000 delegates from 33 countries and regions attended the congress. Over 700 papers were received, 546 of which were compiled into conference proceedings (516 papers were bilingual in English and Chinese). Academic exchange and discussion on subjects including “Inheritance and development of traditional medicine” and “Advantages and roles of traditional medicine in human health”.
Ms Wu Yi, Vice-Premier of the State Council and the Minister for Health of the People’s Republic of China, wrote to express her congratulations on the success of the congress. Mr Jiang Zheng Hua, Vice-Chairman of National People’s Congress Standing Committee, announced the launch of the opening ceremony. Mr Gao Qiang, Standing Vice-Minister for Health of China, Professor She Jing, Vice-Minister for Health of China and Director-General of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SATCM) of China, and representatives from Western Pacific Region of World Health Organization (WHO) attended the opening ceremony.
The Second ICTM was held in Paris, France 2005. The congress was organized by WFCMS and co-hosted by Pan European Federation of TCM Societies (PEFOTS), Pan European Federation of TCM Consultants in TCM (PEFCTCM), French Union of TCM Professionals (UFPMTC) and Chuzhen Institute of TCM. The theme was “Human health and Chinese medicine”. Prof. She Jing Vice-Minister for Health of China and Director-General of SATCM, and the delegation from SATCM attended the opening ceremony. Prof She gave a keynote speech, “Intellectual property protection of Chinese medicine”. More than 700 Chinese medicine experts and practitioners from 34 countries and regions attended the congress. Over 200 papers were received. Presentations and collaborative sessions were conducted on areas including current status of Chinese medicine worldwide and its’ associated challenges, the development of clinical practice, standardization of Chinese medicine, clinical research of new Chinese medicines.
The Third ICTM was held in Toronto, Canada, 2006. The congress was organized by WFCMS and hosted by the Canadian Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (CSCMA) The following officials were addressed at the opening ceremony, Prof. She Jing, Vice-Minister for Health of China, Director-General of SATCM; Mr Mike Colle, Minister for Citizen & Immigration, Ontario and Ms. Cheng Xiaoling, Consul of Consulate-General of P. R. China in Toronto. More than 800 delegates worldwide from 50 countries and regions including Canada, America, Australia and China attended the congress. Over 200 papers were received, 110 papers selected and compiled into the proceedings and 96 papers presented. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Canadian Minister for Health and Long Term Care, Mr Tony Clement; Toronto Mayor Mr David Miller and Mr George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Health expressed congratulations on the success of the congress.
The Fourth ICTM was held in Singapore, 2007. The congress was organized by WFCMS and hosted by Singapore Chinese Physicans’ Association (SCPA). Dr. Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health of Singapore, Prof. She Jing, Chairperson of WFCMS, Dr. Choi Seung-hoon, official from WHO Western Pacific Regional office and Mr Tay Beng Chuan, Chairman of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners’ Board. Singapore (TCMPB) attended the congress. More than 1000 people from 35 countries and regions worldwide attended the congress. A total of 188 papers were received with 96 papers presented with subject areas including Chinese medicine literature studies; theoretical and practical innovations, clinical review on refined Chinese medicine practice methods and Chinese medicinal formulas; clinical efficacy of Chinese medicines; research and manufacture of new devices for diagnosis and treatment; research of Chinese medicine in acupuncture, moxibustion and orthopaedics; and the integration of Western and Chinese medicine.
Since 2008, ICTM has been renamed as the World Congress of Chinese Medicine (WCCM). The Fifth WCCM was held in Macau, China, 2008. The congress was organized by WFCMS and hosted by Macau Association of Chinese Medicine (MACM). The congress theme was "Continuity of development and mission of Chinese Medicine."
The following officials launched the opening ceremony, Mr He Hao Wah, Chief Executive of Macau Special Administrative Region of PRC; Dr. Wang Guo Qiang, Vice-Minister for Health of China and Director-General of SATCM, China; Dr. Chui Sai On, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Macau; Mr Li Ben Jun, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of China, Macau; Prof She Jing, Chairperson of WFCMS; Prof. Li Zheng, Ji, Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of WFCMS; Mr Song Yan Bin, Vice-Commissioner of China Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Macau Special Administrative Region; Dr. Ramon Maria Calduch, Chairman of Supervision Board, WFCMS and Mr Lam Lat Cho, Chairman of MACM. There were 1198 delegates from 37countries and regions worldwide attended the congress. Approximately 200 papers were received from 20 countries and regions, 114 were included in the proceedings, and more than 70 papers were reported in plenary sessions. Four major themes were presented at the congress: “New interpretation of Lingnan needling” by Dr. Chen Xiu Hua from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; “Sound corresponding to Five Zang Organs” by Prof. Gao Ye Tao; “Hand diagnosis and treatment” by Dr. Liu Jian Feng; “WFCMS’s International Standard for Chinese-English Basic Nomenclature of Chinese Medicine “by Prof. Wang Kui.
The Sixth WCCM will be held in Melbourne, Australia from 5th to 6th December 2009. It will be organized by WFCMS and hosted by Federation of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Societies of Australia Ltd. (FCMA). The theme of the Congress is “The rise of Chinese Medicine and its’ modern development”. With growing interest in the development of Chinese medicine in Western industrialised countries, the congress is expected to be attended by 700 persons from varying backgrounds and professional expertise.