The Third World Integrative Medicine Congress will be held in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, from September 22nd to 24th, 2007. Replying to someone's proposal of abolishing Chinese medicine, experts in Chinese medicine called this an irrational argument, Information Times reports.

Vice President Wu Weikang of Chinese Association of the Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine (CAIM) introduced that health and administration departments in foreign countries list Chinese medicine as alternative medicine. Therapeutic practices like acupuncture have already acquired legislation authorization while herbals are strictly restricted because of their potential toxicity and insecurity. The view that Chinese medicine is systematic science is being accepted by western medical experts.

Wu also introduced that 90 percent of people in developing countries, and 40 percent in developed countries have used traditional medicine. Compared to other traditional medicines, traditional Chinese medicine develops well in foreign countries and is recognized with integrated theories and practice.

Wu said that curative effects are the most important references, and that irrational arguments are not advocated. Chinese medicine has profound bases and is needed by people.

The statistics of 2005 show that about 125 billion yuan was spent on Western medicine, with about 119 billion on Chinese medicine, only 5.8 billion less. Compared to Western medicine, Chinese medicine is much cheaper.

It is reported that The Third World Integrative Medicine Congress to be held in Guangzhou will conclude and exchange the results of the world integrative medicine program and the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in China. The applying modes of integrative medicine in medical practice will also be explored. More than 30 Experts from different countries will give special speeches and exchange the development of integrative medicine in different countries.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 29, 2007)