Li Qiang signed an order of the State Council to announce the "Regulations on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine"

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, November 9th: Premier Li Qiang recently signed an order of the State Council to announce the "Regulations on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

The "Regulations" aim to protect traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, promote the inheritance and development of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, and promote Chinese medicine culture. There are 32 articles in the Regulations, which mainly stipulate the following contents.

The first is to clarify the overall requirements. Define the scope of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and propose principles for protection. It stipulates that the government strengthens protection work and encourages and guides social participation. Support external exchanges and cooperation of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and promote international dissemination and application. Do a good job in keeping confidentiality related to the protection of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine.

The second is to comprehensively explore and organize traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine. By collating and selecting ancient Chinese medicine literature, conducting surveys on traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, and encouraging holders to apply, we will explore and organize traditional Chinese medicine knowledge through multiple channels and establish a protection database. Strengthen the use of protected databases and promote the dissemination of traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine. Improve the holder system of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, support the rational use of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge that is in the public domain and can be publicly accessed, and the competent department of traditional Chinese medicine under the State Council will perform the holder's duties.

The third is to strengthen the protection, inheritance and utilization of important traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine. Establish a protection list, clarify the inclusion criteria, and include representative, unique and important traditional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine in the protection list through procedures such as expert group selection, publicity and release. For traditional Chinese medicine knowledge listed on the protected list, support the inheritance and dissemination, strengthen promotion and application, and promote research and innovation.

In addition, corresponding legal responsibilities are clarified for violations of the Regulations.