Published by ChinaMNC ยท Jinshan
Shanghai TCM University Marks 70 Years: New International Standards and Global Strategy Institute for Foreign Founders to Watch
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine marked its 70th anniversary with new international standards, a global strategy institute, and open-education initiatives. Here is what foreign founders in health, education and life sciences should note about Shanghai's TCM ecosystem.
Shanghai's TCM Sector Signals Global Ambitions at University Anniversary
Foreign founders evaluating Shanghai as a base for health, education or life-sciences ventures should note a significant institutional milestone: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SHUTCM) has marked its 70th anniversary with a series of announcements that point to a more internationally oriented TCM ecosystem. The developments were reported on the Shanghai municipal government's official website.
The anniversary event was not merely ceremonial. It launched a talent-development program for top-tier TCM innovation, released the 2026 slate of international TCM standards, and unveiled a new global TCM development strategy research institute tied to a Shanghai municipal government decision-consulting research base. Together these signal that Shanghai intends to formalize and export TCM practices and education, which matters for founders building products, training programs or clinics that touch traditional medicine.
What Was Announced
New International Standards for 2026
The release of the 2026 international TCM standards is the item most directly relevant to companies operating across borders. Standards shape how TCM products, therapies and educational curricula are described, assessed and compared internationally. For foreign founders, the practical takeaway is that the regulatory and technical vocabulary around TCM is becoming more codified. If your business involves TCM ingredients, therapies or training, monitoring these standards is worthwhile. The source does not specify the number or content of the standards, so founders should follow official publications for details rather than relying on secondary summaries.
Global Strategy Institute and Government Research Base
The newly inaugurated Global TCM Development Strategy Research Institute, paired with a Shanghai municipal government decision-consulting research base, suggests a formal channel linking TCM research to policy advice. For founders, such institutions can function as sources of expertise, potential research partners and venues for understanding how policy toward TCM may evolve. The source does not detail the institute's structure or mandate beyond its name and affiliation.
Talent Program
A program to cultivate top-tier innovative TCM talent was launched at the event. While details are not provided in the source, the emphasis on talent suggests continued investment in the human capital that underpins clinical practice, research and education in the sector.
Open Education and International Training
The event also produced the "Shanghai Consensus on High-Level Opening-Up of TCM Education," reached at the university. In parallel, a 2026 high-end "Western Medicine Learning TCM" program opened, alongside an international training course for medical experts from Belt and Road countries on TCM techniques for treating pain.
- Education opening-up: The Shanghai Consensus signals a stated direction toward international collaboration in TCM education.
- Cross-training: The Western-medicine-learns-TCM program reflects efforts to bridge conventional and traditional practice.
- Belt and Road training: The pain-treatment course indicates continued engagement with international medical professionals.
For foreign founders, these initiatives suggest opportunities in training, certification and cross-border professional exchange, though the source provides no specifics on participation eligibility or commercial access.
Academic Dialogue on TCM Going Global
Attending professionals from China and abroad held academic discussions on the theme of Chinese culture and the spirit of the times. Experts at the event argued that TCM's "going global" is not only about spreading treatment techniques but also about dialogue between health philosophy and civilizational wisdom, with parties jointly promoting innovation in traditional medicine so that ancient medical wisdom can become globally shared health resources.
This framing is useful context for founders: Shanghai's official narrative positions TCM as a cultural and philosophical export as much as a clinical one. Businesses that can articulate their work within that broader narrative may find alignment with local policy priorities.
Official Attendance
The event was attended by Teng Jianyong, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress; He Qing, vice mayor of Shanghai; Yu Lijuan, vice chair of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; Zhou Hanmin, standing committee member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and president of the Shanghai Public Diplomacy Association; and Li Yiping, vice chair of the China Welfare Institute and chair of the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Foundation. The presence of senior municipal and national-level figures underscores the official weight given to the initiative.
Practical Considerations for Foreign Founders
Founders in TCM-adjacent fields should treat these announcements as directional signals rather than immediate operational changes. Consider the following:
- Monitor standards: Track the 2026 international TCM standards as they are published to understand how products and practices may be described and evaluated.
- Engage institutions: The new research institute and university programs may serve as potential partners for research, training or pilot projects; approach through official channels.
- Watch education openings: The Shanghai Consensus and international training courses may create avenues for collaboration in education and professional exchange.
- Frame within policy priorities: Align communications with Shanghai's stated emphasis on TCM going global as a health and cultural dialogue.
The source does not provide details on foreign investment rules, licensing, tax treatment or market access specific to TCM. Founders should verify such matters with qualified professionals and official authorities before committing resources.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.