In the global fight against COVID-19, Traditional Chinese medicine has contributed to the fight against coVID-19 in Italy and other countries. "Traditional Chinese medicine has been effective in preventing and treating COVID-19, and the 'three drugs and three parties' have gained brand influence, which has attracted attention from countries. Governments want to draw on traditional medicine to provide innovative solutions in health care to address diseases such as COVID-19." "Said Zhuang Hong, executive deputy secretary general of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center of the China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine in a lecture entitled" Internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Challenges and Development Opportunities ".

According to Zhuang Hong, China's foreign trade of TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine shows these characteristics: in terms of product structure, mainly raw material products; Important trade has been in surplus; The import and export markets are relatively stable, mainly in Asia, followed by Europe and North America. The main body of export has changed obviously, the self-operated export production enterprises have become the main body of export. "Among them, the United States, Japan and Europe are the main export markets of the extract, Chinese medicinal materials are mainly aimed at Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong, China, while the export of Chinese patent medicine and health products is mainly in Hong Kong and ASEAN." Zhuang hong said that the "one belt, one road" initiative has contributed to the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine, and China's export of traditional Chinese medicine to countries along the "One Belt And One Road" has been growing rapidly.

In terms of the international RESEARCH and development of TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine, Zhuang Hong mentioned that overseas educational institutions are the main force engaged in the research of traditional Chinese medicine. There are also other forms of traditional Chinese medicine research institutions in foreign countries, especially famous international enterprises participating in the research and development of traditional Chinese medicine, such as Japan Jincun Company.

By observing TCM's foreign trade and participation in international cooperation, Zhuang Hong found that some factors restricted the internationalization of TCM.

The export product structure of Traditional Chinese medicine is unreasonable. Most of the exported Traditional Chinese medicine products are Chinese medicinal materials with low added value, as well as decoction pieces and plant extracts. The share of Chinese patent medicine and health products with high added value is small, and they are at the low end of the value chain in the international division of labor.

The industrialization level of TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine needs to be improved. Low added value of export products, small scale of enterprises, insufficient investment in RESEARCH and development, insufficient innovation, low overall economic benefits, generic drugs abound.

Green trade barriers in foreign countries restrict traditional Chinese medicine to go abroad. International trade barriers of Traditional Chinese medicine are green tariff, market access, green packaging, green countervailing, green health inspection and quarantine.

Another restricting factor is that China has not established a complete quality standard system to meet the development of TCM industry. ZhuangHong mentioned, the effective components of Chinese traditional medicine is complex, the domestic study of different component and preparation technology level and distance with advanced international standards, these restrict the effect of supervision over the quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the system of evaluation, combined with the lack of unified diagnostic evaluation standard international scope, resulted in the registration of compound Chinese medicine is difficult, patent and intellectual property protection consciousness is weak, resulting in the loss of traditional Chinese medicine intellectual property phenomenon is very serious.

The service system of TCM service trade industry is not perfect. "The labor policy, visa and other management and service systems of overseas TCM practitioners are not perfect, which makes the international management and coordination of TCM service industry very complicated and unstable. "There is a huge shortage of international talents who have the expertise in TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine, the language of the host country, and the rules and regulations of the international market." "Zhuang Hong said.

Developed countries and multinational companies have formed an adverse trend to the development of China's TCM industry. Zhuang hong observed that countries began to attach importance to promoting the international development of their own traditional medicine, and some developed countries tried to seize a leading position in medical scientific research, standard setting, industrial development and market share. Multinational companies have carried out traditional Chinese medicine screening, and cooperated with domestic research institutions, using ancient Chinese medicine books and traditional medicine literature, to jointly seek new drug research and development materials from the treasure house of Traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, "foreign traditional Chinese medicine" arises at the historic moment. For example, Japanese and Korean proprietary Chinese medicines form great competitive pressure on Chinese herbal medicine products in China. Comparatively speaking, "Foreign Traditional Chinese medicine" has more advantages in capital and science and technology. It has developed products with advanced technology, high quality standard, exquisite appearance, perfect marketing system and accurate positioning. For example, Japanese Chinese herbal medicine starts from seed selection and seedling breeding, which ensures that its products successfully pass FDS, GMP and other international certifications. They make use of these important raw materials to form high value-added products and earn high profits.

ZhuangHong mentality is still optimistic about it, although is restricted by various factors, but the data show that: the internationalization of Chinese medicine has gotten great progress now trained personnel of traditional Chinese medicine about all over the world more than 50 (not including China), there are more than 30 overseas Chinese medicine clinics, 86 countries and international organizations and signed relevant agreement of traditional Chinese medicine in our country, the government legislation in 29 countries and regions form acknowledged TCM, TCM in 18 countries and regions have health insurance. "In addition, who has included Traditional Chinese medicine in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), a medical framework, which will be implemented by WHO members in 2022. There is more room for the international development of TCM." Zhuang Hong said.

In order to further promote the internationalization of TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine, zhuang Hong suggested: Industry institutions should actively build international cooperation platform, do a good job in the international development of industry support; Attach importance to enhancing the international competitiveness of TCM; Strengthen the quality management of traditional Chinese medicine products, pay attention to the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine source; Single Chinese herbal medicine with simple ingredients and accurate curative effect can be selected for product research and development. The research and development of compound Chinese patent medicine can focus on large varieties of Chinese patent medicine. Select superior products and promote international registration of TCM; To strengthen publicity and international exchanges, raise the awareness and understanding of overseas countries and the public on TRADITIONAL Chinese medicine, actively hold and participate in international conferences on traditional Chinese medicine, and hold cultural and creative activities on traditional Chinese medicine; Attention should also be paid to the global allocation of important resources and the exploration of TCM resources in overseas countries and regions.