Global Alliance of Confucius Institutes for Chinese Medicine

The Second Global Alliance of Confucius Institute of Chinese Medicine Conference Successfully Concludes in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, September 19, 2024 — The Second Global Alliance of Confucius Institute of Chinese Medicine  Conference concluded successfully on September 19, 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa. Hosted by the Chinese Medicine Confucius Institute at the University of the Western Cape, the conference brought together alliance members from various Confucius Institutes, experts, scholars, and representatives from South African government agencies. The event aimed to deepen international exchange and cooperation in the field of Chinese medicine and to promote its global preservation and innovation.

The conference attracted representatives and scholars from several member institutes, including the Confucius Institute of Chinese  and Regenerative Medicine at  University of Galway, the South African Department of Science and Innovation, the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa, the University of the Western Cape, and universities in China. Throughout the event, ten representatives from Confucius Institutes around the world discussed themes such as “Chinese Medicine Education,” “Global Traditional Medicine,” and “The International Dissemination of Chinese Medicine,” contributing insights and expertise to advance Chinese medicine’s global reach.

As Alliance Chair, Professor Timothy O’Brien, Dean of the Confucius Institute of Chinese  and Regenerative Medicine at University of Galway , highlighted in his closing remarks that the alliance offers a broad platform for cross-cultural and interdisciplinary cooperation. He encouraged members to strengthen communication and resource-sharing to drive the international development of Chinese medicine. Shan Bing Shen, Executive Director of  Confucius Institute at University of Galway , delivered a keynote report titled “Gene Editing of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Drug Discovery in Chinese Medicine,” sharing the latest research developments in combining Chinese medicine with regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, Dr. Li Ren, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute, led a forum discussion that engaged experts on various topics, further fostering international collaboration and exploration in Chinese medicine.

During the conference, the alliance proposed several key development directions, including establishing a global platform for Chinese medicine education resource sharing, promoting the “Chinese Language + Chinese Medicine” dual-focus educational model, and nurturing bilingual international professionals with expertise in Chinese medicine. It was also emphasized that the alliance would leverage the strengths of its member institutions to explore diversified development paths integrating medicine, education, industry, and research, further enhancing the global influence of Chinese medicine.

The successful conclusion of this conference marks a new phase in the alliance’s collaborative efforts, injecting fresh momentum into the international promotion of Chinese medicine. Moving forward, the alliance will continue to foster the development of Chinese medicine globally, contributing to human health and well-being and promoting the richness of international cultural exchange and cooperation.