Chinese and foreign experts agreed at a symposium in Beijing Saturday that traditional Chinese medicine has broad prospects in international market as Chinese therapy and pharmacy have helped treat many severe diseases.  

Last year, traditional Chinese medicine was successfully used in treating SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) patients, said Professor Tian Jingfu, former deputy director of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Currently, many Chinese companies and individuals are studying ways to treat HIV/AIDS patients.

China's success has increased international awareness about traditional Chinese medicine and served to push traditional Chinese medicine into the international market.

According to Hiromi Kumon and Haruki Kaku from Okayama University of Japan, Japanese medical universities have been ordered to resume teaching the subject of traditional Chinese medicine this year.

Meanwhile, restrictions on traditional Chinese medicine have been eased or lifted in an increasing amount of foreign countries.

The symposium, which was sponsored by China's national market for medical technology, discussed a new health product based on the extracts of broomrape. According to experts, broomrape is widely believed to be good for men.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2004)