The first institute of Tibetan medicine was launched on Tuesday at the Tibet Autonomous Regional Hospital of Tibetan Medicine.

Zhamdui, president of Tibet Autonomous Regional Hospital of Tibetan Medicine, hoped that the new institution would help modernize research on Tibetan medicine, which is said to have a history of 2,300 years.

"The new establishment will play an active role in rescuing, researching and compiling ancient documents on Tibetan medicine and promoting relevant clinic application," said Zhamdui.

Businesses that cater to Tibetan medicine have become one of the six major industries supporting regional economic development of Tibet. The new institute, together with the regional hospital of Tibetan medicine and a Tibetan medicine factory, will optimize the use of resources, talent, funds and technologies.

As one of the world's major traditional medicines, Tibetan medicine has found growing interest among people around the globe. English, French, German and Russian versions of Tibetan medical books are now available, and universities and research institutions in countries such as India, Britain, the United States, France and Germany offer specialties on Tibetan studies and Tibetan medicine.

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2006)