Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) including acupuncture-moxibustion has been spread to 196 countries and regions, making significant contributions to human health both historically and in the present era. It is a treasure of human civilization. For the purposes of reflecting the global picture of TCM, promoting mutual learning of cultures and people-to-people bond, contributing to a Global Community of Health for all, and offering a high-level exchange platform for international talents, “Jizhou Cup” 7th World Essay Competition for College Students: Internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine will be held. The competition is co-organized by the Secretariat of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and the Center for International Development of TCM of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

1.Competition duration

From September to November, 2025

2.Participants

College students (junior college students, undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates), with no restriction to nationality, university or major. Young TCM practitioners, including management trainees and interns at various TCM enterprises and institutions.

3.Topics and theme

The essays are divided into three groups. Participants may choose any group to enter. Different essays can be submitted to different groups, but the same paper cannot be submitted to multiple groups.

【Professional group】

The essay submitted should include but not limited to researches on the worldwide or local development of TCM, acupuncture-moxibustion, Chinese herbal medicine, traditional medicine, etc.; environmental value of TCM; cultural communication of TCM; modernization of TCM; cross-disciplinary studies related to TCM; overseas development of Chinese medicine enterprises; and international aid services by TCM. The essay may include but is not limited to the above topics. Participants may also adopt a macro perspective to explore specific issues in the internationalization of TCM and conduct multidimensional, interdisciplinary investigations.

Language: The essay shall be written in Chinese or English and must adhere to the conventions of academic writing, with total words of 5,000 - 10,000. An abstract of 200 - 300 words in both Chinese and English is also required.

【Experience-sharing group】: My Story with TCM Going Global

Tell the story of your encounter with TCM, as well as your involvement, feelings, thoughts, and suggestions of its internationalization. Based on your personal experiences, the essay may offer a microcosm of TCM's global reach, tracing its footsteps as it takes root and flourishes around the world.

Language: The essay shall be written in Chinese or English and should be primarily written in the style of prose or narrative nonfiction, with total words of about 5,000 and pictures. An abstract of 200 - 300 words in both Chinese and English is also required.

【Innovation group】: Global Promotion and Innovation of TCM Specialized Therapies, Techniques, and Clinical Departments

In the digital and information age, by integrating modern communication channels, technological advancements, and evolving consumer behaviors, the essay should propose innovative strategies and practical solutions for revitalizing TCM's characteristic therapies and master inheritance. It may include product and service design, brand building, marketing strategies, intangible cultural heritage preservation and transmission, clinical department development and Patient (user) management.

Language: The essay shall be written in Chinese or English, with total words of about 5,000 and pictures. An abstract of 200 - 300 words in both Chinese and English is also required.

4.Competition round

September 1 - October 19:

Preliminary Round

October 20 - Mid-November:

Semi-final Round

Mid-to-Late November:

Final Round

5.How to participate

Scan the QR code above or click the link (https://jsj.top/f/Xfm5yZ) to join the group and make sure to finish the sign-up procedure by filling the registration form and submitting your essay via email before the deadline.

Please send your essay in WORD format to contact@wfas.org.cn no later than 24:00 Beijing Time, October 19, 2025. Please use "Essay TCM internationalization + [Group]" as the subject, and present your name and university in the email. The information should be consistent with that you submit in the registration form.

For international participants without WeChat, please include the following information in your submission email: Author's school, nationality, ethnicity, full name, gender, age, academic major, year of study, and contact number.

Email subject line example: Essay TCM internationalization + Professional Group

6.Competition Rules

1.Experts of the review group will conduct the preliminary screening of papers, and select the papers that meet the requirements to enter the semi-final competition. Participants who advance to the semi-finals will be required to create and post short video content.

2.The competition aims to cultivate international talents of TCM, and the contestants should have the ability of bringing TCM culture to the masses. On this account, semi-final contestants are required to create short TCM-themed videos based on their papers and post them on network platforms where number of views is shown and can be calculated. 50% of the finalists are selected by experts, and the other 50% are generated according to the ranking of promotion effect of the videos. Contestants who enter this round will be awarded an e-version certificate with the view count of their work indicated on it.

3. In the final round, participants will deliver presentations of their essays (using PowerPoint slides). Judges will score based on both the live presentation performance and the content of the essay.

4. There is short video evaluation in the final round, authors of short videos must record a 3-minute explanation video detailing their creating process. Judges will evaluate and rank these videos separately based on quality, creativity, expression and views during the competition period.

7.Awards

【Professional group】

First Prize (2 winners): RMB 10,000 per essay

Second Prize (6 winners): RMB 5,000 per essay

Third Prize (10 winners): RMB 2,000 per essay

Awards will be determined by ranking judges’ scores from the finals in descending order. The 1st and 2nd place winner will receive the First Prize, the 3rd to 8th place winners will receive the Second Prize and the 9th to the 18th place winners will be awarded the Third Prize.

【Experience-sharing group】

Impressive Presentation Award (8 winners): RMB 2,000 per essay

Awards will be determined by ranking judges’ scores from the finals in descending order. The top 8 winners will win the Impressive Presentation Award.

【Innovation group】

Innovation Award (8 winners): RMB 2,000 per essay

Awards will be determined by ranking judges’ scores from the finals in descending order The top 8 winners will win the Innovation Award.

【Short Video】

Short Video Award (6 winners): RMB 1,500 per video

Awards will be determined by ranking judges’ scores from the finals in descending order The top 6 winners will win the Short Video Award.

Note:

One piece of work shall only be submitted to one group. This competition only accepts essays not published before. Any essay found to have already been published will be disqualified for this competition. Besides, short videos should follow the regulations of specific media platforms. If the video is banned due to any violation, its view number will be counted as null.

Organizing Committee of World Essay Competition for College Students: Internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Aug 31st, 2025