Gansu's traditional medicine industry embraces tech and global markets

She called for cooperation in joint research, quality standards, extraction technologies, talent training and new product development.

Companies are developing new products to make TCM more accessible to younger consumers. Lanzhou Foci Pharmaceutical, whose products are exported to 32 countries and regions, has developed products such as astragalus coffee and ginseng Americano.

"These coffee drinks combine traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with a beverage people already know and enjoy," said Ma Rui, deputy director of the Marketing Department at Foci Health Marketing Center. "They can help you stay awake and alert while also providing energy and supporting your immunity, which is particularly appealing to young consumers."

As Lu put it, the goal of developing TCM is not only to preserve tradition, but also to "tell the story of traditional Chinese medicine in the new era" and deepen its integration into the Belt and Road Initiative, contributing to a global community of health for all.

Wu Yuexuan contributed to the story.