From September 19 to 20, 2026, the 8th World Traditional Medicine Forum and World Federation of TCM Trade Services were held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. More than 500 delegates from over 30 countries and regions gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges on the inheritance, innovation, and international integration of traditional medicine and to explore new pathways for its development.

Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Dr Sungchol Kim, Unit Head for Traditional Medicine Norms, Standards and Systems Integration at the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre; Yu Jian, Cultural Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Dong Zhilin, Chairman of the World Traditional Medicine Forum; Liu Baoyan, President of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS); Yang Jinsheng, Secretary-General of WFAS; Harm Elsinga, Chair of the Organizing Committee and former President of the Dutch Acupuncture Association; and Ma Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Chinese Medicine (CACM).

In his remarks, Dr Sungchol Kim noted that the World Health Organization has long attached great importance to and actively promoted the development of traditional medicine, with a series of positive achievements made in international exchange, research, and practice. He expressed the hope that the Forum would place greater emphasis on evidence-based research in traditional medicine, deepen academic exchange and international cooperation, promote further breakthroughs in evidence-based research, and provide a stronger evidence base for the scientific inheritance, innovation, and development of traditional medicine.

In his remarks, Dr Sungchol Kim noted that the World Health Organization has long attached great importance to and actively promoted the development of traditional medicine, with a series of positive achievements made in international exchange, research, and practice. He expressed the hope that the Forum would place greater emphasis on evidence-based research in traditional medicine, deepen academic exchange and international cooperation, promote further breakthroughs in evidence-based research, and provide a stronger evidence base for the scientific inheritance, innovation, and development of traditional medicine.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee, Harm Elsinga extended a warm welcome to experts, scholars, and professionals from around the world. He expressed the hope that participants would engage in in-depth exchanges and mutual learning during the Forum, jointly enhance their professional and academic expertise, and contribute to human health

Liu Baoyan, President of WFAS; Wang Wencheng of Australia, a successor of Huang's Qianbu Pulse Diagnosis technique; and Dr Linda Hao, Director of the Neuro-Acupuncture Institute in the United States, delivered keynote presentations entitled “Advances in Clinical Research on Acupuncture over the Past Decade,” “The Principles and Clinical Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Treatment,” and “From an Unexpected Cancellation of Brain Tumor Surgery: Explore the Undeniable Medical Value of Scalp Acupuncture,” respectively. Feng Quansheng, Vice President of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered via video link a keynote presentation entitled “The Contemporary Value of Classical Warm Disease Theory in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Pain Disorders.”

Under the theme “The Role of Traditional Medicine in the Prevention and Treatment of Tumors, Gynecological Diseases, and Pain Conditions,” the Forum featured 65 high-quality academic presentations by 59 experts from around the world, who shared the latest research findings, cutting-edge perspectives, and practical experience. A Chinese TCM expert delegation organized by WFAS and CACM systematically presented the latest clinical evidence and practical experience in acupuncture-moxibustion, TCM, and integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the management of pain, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and cancer-related symptoms, bringing new momentum to the global development of traditional medicine.

Yang Jinsheng, Chief Physician at the Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and Secretary-General of WFAS, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Clinical Experience of Acupuncture Treatment for Bi Pain.”

Wang Yingying, Chief Physician at the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Clinical Application Experience and Reflections on the Brain-treating and Shen-regulating Needling Method.”

Wang Yingying, Chief Physician at the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Clinical Application Experience and Reflections on the Brain-treating and Shen-regulating Needling Method.”

Li Demin, Chief Physician at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Current Status and Challenges of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism in China.”

Wang Jie, Chief Physician at Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation in Heart Failure.”

Wang Xian, Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Chief Physician, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Thoughts and Practice on Coronary Microvascular Disease Treatment Based on ‘the Collateral Wind Theory.’”

Dong Guirong, Chief Physician at Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivered an academic presentation entitled “Clinical Experience of Dong's Acupuncture in Treating Shoulder Arm Pain via Six Meridian Syndrome Differentiation for Shoulder Arm Nerves.”

Wang Chunying, President of Guangzhou Mingyitang Group Co., Ltd., delivered an academic presentation entitled “Clinical Application of Acupoint Acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine for First Aid.”

The exhibition held alongside the Forum brought together a number of health and TCM enterprises from China and Europe, showcasing a range of innovative traditional medicine products. An exhibition on the intangible cultural heritage of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Traditional Chinese Medicine was also held, providing an efficient and practical platform for industrial exchange, cooperation, and cultural communication. The 9th World Traditional Medicine Forum and World Federation of TCM Trade Services is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada, on September 18, 2027. Traditional medicine professionals from around the world are warmly invited to attend.