From September 16 to 20, a series of academic activities on the co-construction of legal frameworks and educational development in acupuncture and traditional medicine were held in Spain and the Netherlands. An intangible cultural heritage exhibition on Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Traditional Chinese Medicine was presented at the China–Europe Symposium on Co-construction of Legal Frameworks and Educational Development in Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine in Barcelona, at the acupuncture lecture and Free TCM Clinic held at the headquarters of the Higher Institute of Traditional Medicines (Instituto Superior de Medicinas Tradicionales, ISMET), and at the 8th World Traditional Medicine Forum in Amsterdam. As an element of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acupuncture and moxibustion offered European audiences a vivid presentation of the distinctive appeal of China’s fine traditional culture.

Under the theme “Inheriting the Essence, Upholding Tradition and Fostering Innovation,” the exhibition used texts and images to systematically present the transmission of the intangible cultural heritage of Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Traditional Chinese Medicine, its representative inheritors and distinctive schools of practice, progress in standardization, and achievements in international dissemination. Highlighting both the historical depth and contemporary vitality of acupuncture and moxibustion as intangible cultural heritage of humanity, the exhibition attracted numerous experts, scholars, and members of the public.

Promoting Awareness through Exhibition. During the China–Europe Symposium on Co-construction of Legal Frameworks and Educational Development in Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine, participants agreed that advancing the legal recognition and standardized development of acupuncture in Europe requires not only scientific evidence and institutional support, but also cultural recognition and public awareness. The exhibition helped European audiences gain a more direct understanding of acupuncture, while its presentation of achievements in standardization provided strong support for building consensus on the joint development of legal frameworks and education.

Bringing Heritage Closer to the Public through Exhibition. At ISMET headquarters, the acupuncture lecture, Free TCM Clinic, and exhibition complemented one another. Through lectures, the expert delegation shared professional knowledge, while the Free TCM Clinic brought TCM services directly to the public. By engaging with acupuncture at close range and experiencing it firsthand, European students and local residents deepened their understanding of and confidence in Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an element of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, while gaining a tangible appreciation of the simplicity, convenience, effectiveness, affordability, and humanistic values of TCM.

Passing on Heritage through Exhibition and Building a Bridge for Mutual Learning between Civilizations. During the 8th World Traditional Medicine Forum in Amsterdam, the exhibition systematically showcased China’s achievements in the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, serving as an important window for promoting international exchange in traditional medicine and deepening global health cooperation.

A special section dedicated to the history and transmission of Dong’s Acupuncture was also featured in the exhibition. Focusing on its academic origins, distinctive acupuncture techniques, and lineage of transmission across generations, the section vividly presented the school’s practice of upholding tradition while fostering innovation and became a highlight of the exhibition’s presentation of distinctive acupuncture lineages.

Since Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Traditional Chinese Medicine was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010, acupuncture has become an important cultural symbol through which Chinese civilization engages with the world. 兵器遗产保护委员会 This exhibition was not only an international presentation of China’s fine traditional culture, but also a vivid practice in strengthening people-to-people understanding between China and Europe. It helped build a stronger social foundation for the integration of acupuncture into mainstream healthcare and education systems in Europe, provided cultural momentum for deeper practical cooperation between China and Europe in traditional medicine, and contributed Chinese experience and approaches to implementing the Global Civilization Initiative and advancing a global community of health for all.

The World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) will continue to use the safeguarding and transmission of intangible cultural heritage as a link for deepening practical China–Europe cooperation in areas including legal and regulatory development, education and training, and clinical research, enabling Acupuncture and Moxibustion of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a shared cultural treasure of humanity, to shine even more brightly on the world stage.