xinhua article

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www.chinaview.cn 2005-01-10 09:36:12

 

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/10/content_2438786.htm

 

 

    BEIJING, Jan. 10 -- The Chinese Government's decision to apply for " world

intangible

heritage " status for Traditional (TCM) is certainly heartening

news to its

practitioners, and is a move expected to give a huge boost to the protection and

promotion of TCM.

 

    It is reported government bodies are now working to submit an application to

the

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

 

    UNESCO defines " intangible cultural heritage " as the practices,

representations,

expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and, in some cases,

individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.

 

    As a practice that has existed for thousands of years, TCM has long been a

part of

Chinese culture, not simply a branch of medical science.

 

    It has lost some of its lustre since Western-style medicine was introduced

in China more

than 100 years ago.

 

    Infused with many Chinese philosophical thinkings such as stressing a

harmonious

relationship between man and nature, TCM is still viewed by some outsiders as

superstitious or pseudo science.

 

    The practice has, to some extent, given way to Western medicine and is seen

as

complementary to it, or alternative.

 

    The lack of standards and accurate statistics on ingredients and the length

of time it

takes to see results are factors holding back the development of TCM.

 

    Many people are turning their backs on the pracitce, once the only choice

for Chinese

when they fell ill.

 

    The number of TCM clinics is dwarfed by their Western-style counterparts, a

phenomenon more acute in cities.

 

    But the above does not necessarily suggest a gloomy future for TCM.

 

    TCM's remarkable track record in treating a number of chronic diseases and

severe

acute respiratory syndrome, as well as its role in combating AIDS, all indicate

that TCM

still has a niche.

 

    The combination of TCM and Western-style medicines has been proven to be

effective

in treating some complex ailments which are hard to treat using just one or the

other.

 

    TCM has also become accepted in more foreign countries in recent years, with

China

now having TCM agreements with 67 countries.

 

    And its TCM exports have grown by 5.5 per cent in the past five years.

 

    In China, TCM holds another significance.

 

    Generally, TCM is more cost-effective than Western-style medical treatment,

which

often requires expensive equipment.

 

    Such a cost difference may be trivial in cities, but it is crucial in rural

areas where

farmers can be driven to poverty by medical burdens.

 

    There is still much to be learnt from this centuries-old practice and more

scientific

research should be done on TCM in order to explain its seemingly magical effects

in a

more scientific way, thus making it more acceptable in medical terms.

 

    It is hoped that government's bidding to add it to the list of intangible

heritage will

promote our awareness of this rich resource that we have long taken for granted.

 

    TCM, as a part of our culture, should be cherished, be it listed or not.

 

    But getting listed is not an automatic guarantee that this precious heritage

will be well

protected.

 

    A case in point is the damage done to some world heritage sites after

getting the

much-coveted status.

 

    The best way to protect TCM from being marginalized is to develop and

popularize it.

 

    The success of preserving this centuries-old traditional practice rests not

only on its

own development, but also on our sense of mission.

 

    When knowing the possible loss of TCM is much more than just a loss of an

alternative

medical treatment, but a part of our cherished culture, we have every reason to

care for its

future.

 

    Whether TCM will be listed or not, we are duty-bound to pass on this

sometimes

mysterious yet magic part of culture to following generations.

 

 

    (Source: China Daily)