Representatives from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Visit the Italian Innovation Center to Discuss Passing on the Torch of Traditional Chinese Medicine

  Professor Wang Jianqing from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Visits the Italian Innovation Center (CII)

  Professor Wang Jianqing from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU) was recently invited to visit the Italian Innovation Center (CII). Mr. Marco Xu, President of the Italian Innovation Center, Ms. Li Haiyan, Vice President, and Mr. Fabiano Belvedere, External Advisor, extended a warm welcome to Professor Wang. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on the internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the potential for collaborative innovation in industry, academia, and research.

  During the meeting, in a warm and pragmatic atmosphere, both parties explored the prospects for future cooperation between the Italian Innovation Center and Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. Vice President Li Haiyan highlighted the resource advantages of the Italian Innovation Center, emphasizing its core capability in connecting top Italian universities, research institutions, and enterprises in the life sciences sector. She also shared the Center's successful experiences in promoting technology transfer and project incubation. She stated that TCM possesses a profound traditional cultural heritage and holds significant development potential in overseas markets. The Italian Innovation Center is willing to serve as a bridge, precisely connecting the high-quality resources of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University with Italy's scientific research and industrial systems.

  Mr. Fabiano Belvedere, the External Advisor, offered a professional perspective, noting that while integrative medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is known to certain niche consumer groups in Italy, it is still in its early stages overall. He identified the primary obstacle to the wider adoption of such therapies as the lengthy scientific certification process required by national institutions. However, he pointed out that Italy has a number of outstanding local enterprises in this field, which could help drive policies and regulations in a direction more favorable to the natural health market. He emphasized that the progress of integrative medicine in recent years has largely been due to the education and promotion efforts by professionals, and therefore, medical practitioners will be a key force in advancing the clinical compliance verification and related qualification accreditation for TCM.

  Professor Wang Jianqing provided a detailed account of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University's significant achievements in areas such as TCM artificial intelligence, drug research and development, clinical application, and talent cultivation. He suggested that the cooperation between the two sides should not be limited to product export, but should instead involve a two-way exchange of culture and technology. He also expressed hope for opportunities to deepen collaboration in multiple areas, including the establishment of clinical trial models for TCM overseas, the joint construction of laboratories, and the promotion of medical culture.

  Based on the discussions held during this meeting, both parties will pursue further in-depth communication in the future. The goal is to promote deep integration of industry, academia, and research, inject new impetus into the development of integrative medicine, and open new pathways for cooperation between China and Italy in the medical field.

  Zhejiang Chinese Medical University is a key high-level university under construction in Zhejiang Province, jointly established by the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Ministry of Education. The university originated from the Zhejiang Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Training School founded in 1953. Through various name changes and relocations, it was officially named Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in 2006. During his tenure in Zhejiang, President Xi Jinping inspected the university and provided guidance, issuing four important instructions and remarks. Upholding the motto "Seeking Fundamentals and Aspiring Far," the university has developed distinctive educational philosophies and institutional spirit.

  The university boasts outstanding strengths in disciplines and scientific research, possessing high-quality disciplinary resources including national key disciplines and provincial "peak" disciplines. Seven of its disciplines rank within the top 1% globally in the ESI (Essential Science Indicators). In the 2025 SoftCo World University Academic Ranking, it placed second among traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) universities nationwide. The university has established over 60 research platforms at the provincial or ministerial level and above, won numerous national and provincial science and technology awards, and hosts four academic journals.