Two employees in a TCM store in Dongyang, East China's Zhejiang Province, measure herbal medicine on October 31, 2018. File Photo: VCG

To better promote the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) development overseas, detailed plans on standardized herb planting and TCM drug production are needed, Chen Kaixian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

TCM has come under the spotlight as it has been widely used in China's fight against novel coronavirus, giving a better chance for TCM's further development overseas. "Speaking with facts is a good way to promote TCM overseas," Chen said, adding that a group of people in the US and European countries are enthusiastic about TCM.

TCM talents are also growing rapidly, with some cultivated at institutions overseas, Chen said, noting that acupuncture is covered by some insurance companies in the US, which benefits its development.

It's hard to control and standardize the quality of Chinese medicinal herbs, which is one of the major problems hindering its fast development abroad, Chen said. 

As a pioneer, Shanghai has played an important role in the promotion of TCM overseas. Shanghai has established five TCM centers overseas, accounting for one-sixth of the total number China has established overseas, according to Chen.

It's very important to have a greater voice in the international TCM sector, Chen said. A total of 45 international standards for TCM have been issued by the ISO/TC249, a technical committee within the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as of November 2019, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Lianhua Qingwen TCM capsule has a curative effect in treating COVID-19 patients with mild and moderate symptoms. This medicine has also been included in the health packages provided for overseas Chinese students.