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Agreed minutes signed to enhance cooperation for development of traditional medicine between Korea and China

-       The two nations agreed to strengthen cooperation and exchange regarding the traditional medicine industry including research and development of traditional medicines -

-       The two sides also agreed to expand support for international and private cooperation including the joint promotion of international standardization -

Vice Minister Lee Youngchan of the Ministry of Health and Welfare joined the 13^th Korea-China cooperation steering committee* meeting on cooperation regarding oriental medicine held in Beijing, China on July 31^st, and signed agreed minutes to activate exchange and cooperation on traditional medicine with Wang Guoqiang, director of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Since 1995, Korea and China, the leading nations of traditional medicine, have held 12 rounds of committee meetings.

- Through the meetings, the two countries have maintained close cooperation on the international stage, such as enhancing government and private exchange and cooperation regarding the traditional medicine field, jointly practicing the WHO resolutions on traditional medicine, and promoting a standardization project.

※ History of Korea-China cooperation steering committee on oriental medicine

 ○ March, 1994: During the Korea-China summit meeting, the two nations agreed to drive a cooperative project regarding the field of traditional medicine.

 ○ April, 1995: The Korea-China cooperation steering committee on oriental medicine chaired by the two nations’ vice ministers was organized.

 ○ 1995 to 2011: A total of 12 rounds of meetings were held in the two nations in rotation with various subjects including ways to globalize traditional medicine.

The 13^th committee meeting was followed by the summit meeting between Korea and China this year that marks the 21^st anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and during the meeting, the leaders of the two nations agreed to develop their bilateral relations into a “strategic cooperative partnership” and expand future-oriented cooperation such as exchange in the field of health care.

During the 13^th committee meeting, officials from the two countries agreed to expand cooperation and exchange in the field of traditional medicine.

-       The two sides also agreed to support the traditional medicine industry including exchange among organizations related to traditional medicine, research and development of traditional medicine, preions for traditional medicine, and joint research on medicinal ingredients.

They also decided on a joint drive to add a chapter for traditional medicine to the International Classification of Diseases (WHO ICTM* project), and consistent cooperation regarding the international standardization of traditional medicine.

※ WHO ICTM (International Classification of Traditional Medicine) project

 ○ A project to add traditional medicine into the WHO ICD (International Classification of Disease)

 ○ Leading countries of traditional medicine including Korea, China, and Japan are supporting the project.

In addition, the committee meeting reached an agreement on continuous support for academic and human resource exchange from private organizations regarding traditional medicine such as related associations, research institutions, and medical centers.

“We hope that through this meeting, the two nations can develop exchange and cooperation in the traditional medicine industry and related research, and also expand bilateral cooperation on the international stage such as the WHO,” said Vice Minister Lee Youngchan.