The first international exhibition on the science and technology of traditional Chinese medicine will be held in November in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, southwest China.

Business people from more than 30 countries in Europe, America,southeast Asia and Africa have applied to take part, according to organizers.

Exhibits showing the growth and processing of medicinal herbs, Chinese medicinal crops, machinery for processing traditional drugs and health products will be included in the exhibition.

An official from the Chengdu City Bureau of Science and Technology says that with the application of modern science and technology, China has developed a variety of therapies and health products in recent years. As a result the popularity of Chinese medicine has increased worldwide.

China developed its traditional medical science as early as the5th century BC. Traditional Chinese medicine has its own system, consisting of basic theories, diagnostic methods, and specific treatment based on different signs and symptoms.

The rapid development of traditional Chinese medicine has brought greater international recognition and it now plays an important role in the global medical market. A growing number of foreigners come to China to study traditional Chinese medicine.

(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2002)