A descendant of Li Shizhen, one of China’s most famous traditional pharmacologists, marked his ancestor's 500th birthday anniversary on Saturday in Beijing in conjunction with the announcement of a series of charity projects.

Li Guoyong, a descendant of Li Shizhen, one of China’s most famous traditional pharmacologists, speaks at a press conference to announce a series of charity projects to mark his ancestor's 500th anniversary on May 14, 2016. [China.org.cn]

Li Guoyong, a member of the 17th generation since Li Shizhen, said he would take upon himself the responsibility of promoting his ancestor's medical contributions and spirit. "Li Shizhen belongs to the Chinese, but he also belongs to the world," he said. Li is the current director of the Li Shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Foundation under the China Foundation for the Development of Social Culture.

It was announced that the Li Shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Foundation will undertake 7 large charity projects, including the free training of one million rural traditional Chinese medical doctors; training one million elders how to live healthily for free; training one million mothers how to raise kids for free; training one million children to learn traditional Chinese medicine for free; training one million doctors for further education of traditional Chinese medicine for free; training one million healthcare volunteer workers in communities for free; and training one million foreigners in traditional Chinese medicine for free.

The Li Shizhen foundation is also working with the Beijing Xiushi Foundation to establish a botanical garden in Beijing’s Huairou district based on the traditional Chinese medicine bible, "Compendium of Materia Medica," written by Li Shizhen.

Li Shizhen (1518-1593), was a Chinese polymath, medical doctor, scientist, pharmacologist, herbalist and acupuncturist during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). His major contribution to clinical medicine was his 27-years of work, which were gathered in his scientific book "Compendium of Materia Medica.” The book details more than 1,800 drugs (Chinese Medicine) and includes 1,100 illustrations and 11,000 prescriptions.

Li is also considered to be China’s greatest scientific naturalist.

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