At Anhui Acupuncture and Moxibustion Hospital in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui province, Svetlana Strinzha from Russia scans a QR code and takes a photo of her tongue with her phone. Within seconds, an AI-powered tongue diagnosis device generates a comprehensive health report.
"It is really interesting to see such a device that combines AI with traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. It has given me a deeper and clearer understanding of my own health condition," Strinzha says.
Having faith in the effectiveness of TCM, she has visited China on multiple occasions. This time, she dedicates a whole week to an in-depth exploration of TCM, hoping this trip will make her healthier.
AI is paving new paths for the modernization and internationalization of TCM. The AI tongue diagnosis system, says Dong Changwu, the chief expert behind the system at the same hospital, delves deeply into the unique characteristics of tongue diagnosis.
It presents health information in a more intuitive and understandable way. Currently, the system is available in several languages including English, Russian, French, Korean, German and Thai. It has been deployed in more than 10 countries, such as Switzerland, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, receiving widespread recognition.
"The AI tongue diagnosis device features high accuracy and easy operation, enabling efficient medical services for more people while saving healthcare resources," says Kiu Caracani, a Swiss TCM practitioner.
Caracani envisions a future where relevant functions are integrated into mobile applications, making them ideal for remote areas, mountainous regions and even war-torn environments with scarce medical resources. Such an innovation could quickly screen health risks and save more lives.
"I have installed the same device at my clinic, and it has provided fast and effective services for local patients in need," he adds.
Caracani, Strinzha and tourists from various countries recently traveled to Anhui where they received acupuncture and witnessed the transformation brought by AI technology in TCM. They also journeyed to the mountainous areas of southern Anhui to experience ecological health and wellness.
"We enjoy the unique and beautiful scenery of Mount Huangshan while experiencing local TCM diagnosis and treatment," Caracani says.
He notes that China's visa facilitation policies in recent years have provided more international patients with the opportunity to experience TCM diagnosis, treatment and culture in China.
"Nowadays, an increasing number of foreigners who believe in TCM come to China, seeking more in-depth experiences of diagnosis, treatment and culture," Caracani says.
After conducting research on local ecological health and wellness practices in Anhui, he says that he hopes to introduce his patients to the concept of ecological health and wellness combined with TCM services in the future.
The Anhui hospital has not only attracted overseas patients but has also taken proactive steps to "go global" by sending TCM physicians abroad to foster international cooperation and exchanges.
Recognized as a TCM international cooperation base by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the hospital has dispatched personnel to TCM centers in Russia, Greece and Germany since 2017. It has also established a TCM treatment cooperation site in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where experts are stationed long-term to provide diagnosis, treatment, teaching and pharmaceutical support. Currently, more than 500 types of traditional Chinese medicines are available at the site.
"From acupuncture diagnosis and treatment to center construction, and from technology exports to talent cultivation, we use TCM as a link to promote exchanges and mutual learning between China and foreign countries, enabling more people to understand, believe in, and choose TCM," says Lei Li, Party secretary of the Anhui hospital.
The hospital is further expanding service scenarios and promoting the deep integration of TCM with cultural tourism and the wellness industry, allowing overseas tourists to enjoy high-quality health services at the foot of Mount Huangshan.
TCM pharmaceutical services are also gradually making their way onto the global stage.
Bozhou, in northern Anhui known as the hometown of TCM practitioner Hua Tuo, has hosted the China (Bozhou)-RCEP TCM Industry Cooperation Conference for three consecutive years.
Shufeng Jiedu Granules produced by a Bozhou pharmaceutical company have been available in German pharmacies for nearly six years.
In recent years, the global expansion of TCM has accelerated, ranging from the broadening of overseas cooperation networks to the sharing of intelligent diagnosis and treatment technologies, and including the export of traditional TCM services in response to growing international interest.
