The grand opening of the 11th Meeting of Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine, organized by Macau University of Science and Technology, hosted by the “Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine” officially began in the morning of August 21st , 2012 at the Venetian Macau Resort Hotel. Expert scholars from many countries and regions around the world, government officials and pharmaceutical entrepreneurs, a total of more than 500 people attended this opening ceremony. The three-days “Meeting” brought together renowned scholars around the world from well-known institutions such as Yale University, University of Cambridge, University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University, Tongji University and many more will focus on in depth discussion on the field of Chinese medicine in analysis of empirical research, education, international cooperation in research and industrial development, resources, activity analysis and action mechanism, product development, clinical and acupuncture research, bioinformatics and data analysis etc. Special emphasis will be put on innovative research and exchange of experience, and more efforts in establishing new technologies and methods suitable for featured Chinese medical research and international cooperation platform.
This "Meeting" had received a high degree of attention and support from the Central Government, the Macao S.A.R. Government and internationally renowned scholars. Mr. Wang Guo Qiang, Vice Minister of Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China and Commissioner of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China, made a special trip to preside over the opening of the "Meeting", along with Mr. Wang Xin Dong, Director-General of Economic Affairs Department from Liaison Office of Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R.; Mr. Tong Chi Kin, Chairman of Administrative Committee of The Science and Technology Development Fund; Mr. Sou Chio Fai, Director of the Tertiary Education Services Office of the Government of the Macao SAR; Dr. Lei Chin Ion, Director of the Macau Health Bureau of the Government of the Macao SAR; Ms. Chan Keng Hong, Chairperson of the Guangdong-Macau Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology Industrial Park Development Co., Ltd.; Chair Professor Cheng Yung-Chi, Chairman of the CGCM and Chair Professor of Yale University; Professor Pei Gang, Academician of Chinese Academy and President of Shanghai Tongji University; Professor Chen Kai Xian, Academician of Chinese Academy and President of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Professor Tsui Lap-Chee, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong; Dr Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of the Macau University of Science and Technology; Professor Zhou Li Gao, Chairman of the University Council of the Macau University of Science and Technology, Chair Prof. Liu Liang, Chairman of Local Organizing Committee of the 11th Meeting of CGCM and Vice Rector of MUST officiated the opening ceremony.
The officiating guests made the speeches during the opening ceremony. Mr. Wang Guo Qiang, Vice Minister of Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China and Commissioner of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China indicates that after Macau returns to China, the Macau SAR government has valued greatly the development of Chinese Medicine, and the Health Bureau of Macau and other governmental organizations have made tremendous efforts to create a good environment for the development of Chinese Medicine, the professionals of Chinese Medicine in Macau have united their strengths and worked very hard. He thanks to their commitment and dedications, Chinese Medicine in Macau has gained impressive growth, especially in the standardization, regulation, and modernization of Chinese Medicine, and a unique way of development has formed in advancing Chinese medicine in Macau and has gained wide recognition from the local community. Recent years, in working together with World Heath Organization, Macau SAR government has played an active role in facilitating international collaboration and staff training in traditional medicine. University of Macau, Macau University of Science and Technology, and other higher education institutions in Macau have been long committed to nurturing talents in Chinese medicine, and have continuously improved their academic research quality. In particular, the establishment of the State Key Lab of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine has provided a great opportunity that has introduced excellent research talents and advanced research facilities and therefore has laid a great foundation for further advancement of Chinese Medicine in Macau. Director of the Tertiary Education Services Office of the Government of the Macao S.A.R., Mr. Sou Chio Fai said, the National 12th Five-Year Plan has supported Macao to promote the moderate diversification of its economy and to expedite the development of Chinese medicine. The fact that the Macau University of Science and Technology was granted to organize the CGCM for the first time has brought significance to this region. It timely matches the SAR government’s commitment to further develop the herbal medicine industry. Chair Professor Liu Liang, Vice Rector of Macau University of Science and Technology made a speech on behalf of the Meeting’s local organizing committee. In his speech he mentioned, “Macau University of Science and Technology is a pioneer in the development of Chinese medicine in Macau. Since 2001, the University is committed to the comprehensive development of Chinese medicine education, research and medical services, so far we have established a complete higher education curriculum system for Pharmacy in Chinese medicine, combined Chinese and Western medical services and facilities and team of experts. In 2011, the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine was established with the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology which provided Macau a national platform for the development of Chinese medical research, this action has become the most powerful driving force for us to improve the quality of research and achieve advanced international standards. In recent years, the Central Government and the Macau S.A.R. Government have attached particular importance and given high expectations to the development of Chinese medicine in Macau. Therefore, this Chinese medical research summit held in Macau is very necessary and timely, it will have a historic and positive role in the promotion of international cooperation in Chinese medical research in Macau.”
The “Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine”, referred to as CGCM was established by a 16 member’s institution in December 2003, Chair Professor Liu Liang was one of the founders. Since its beginning, the “CGCM” is chaired by Chair Professor Cheng Yung-Chi of Yale University School of Medicine and the secretariat is located in the University of Hong Kong, School of Medicine. “CGCM” aims to integrate the wisdom and strength of Chinese medicine research in academia and industry worldwide and to promote the internationalization of Chinese medicine research and cooperation, so that traditional Chinese medicine could benefit to all mankind. Well-known teaching and research institutions and pharmaceutical companies from more than 20 countries and regions have joined; currently CGCM has more than 129 existing members, and “CGCM” received applications from six other institutions during this seminar applying for membership.
With the change and transformation of the medical model in the human disease spectrum, the scientific and medical value of traditional Chinese medicine are increasingly subjected to international recognition and the development of Chinese medicine is becoming a worldwide trend. And therefore, the “Consortium for Globalization of Chinese Medicine” is receiving much more attentions from the international pharmaceutical industries. This “Meeting” had received a total of 319 abstracts from the participants, participants from more than 12 countries or regions, including Mainland China, USA, Germany, Australia, Great Britain, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, Macau and other teaching and research institutions and pharmaceutical companies. As the co-organizers of this year’s Meeting, the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (Macau University of Science and Technology) and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (University of Macau) submitted a total of 61 abstracts.
Mr. Wang Guo Qiang(Left), Dr. Liu Chai Wan(Right)
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Group Photo of CGCM Opening Ceremony
