At the State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on Feb 14, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was discussed, and it was decided that the combination of TCM and Western medicine should be promoted. It was also decided that more investment and policy support should be given to TCM to promote Internet Plus TCM healthcare and loosen the restrictions on TCM service.

TCM, as a quintessential Chinese practice, has been accepted by a growing number of countries. According to statistics from the World Health Organization and related groups, TCM has spread to 171 countries and regions; acupuncture has been used in 103 countries; there are over 80,000 traditional Chinese medical care organizations (including acupuncture centers); and the number of overseas people working in the field reached about 300,000.