Vice-Premier Liu Yandong told traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experts to continue their efforts to promote the country’s cultural heritage of TCM.

Liu made the comments when she met specialists who were recognized as great masters of TCM at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct 30.

She praised the TCM masters, saying they are top experts in the field of healthcare and also tradition-bearers regarding China’s medical culture and heritage.

Liu called for more efforts to tap the potential of TCM, though she mentioned the significant successes in the development of the field.

She said TCM involves healthcare and science and technology, a huge economic potential — and is also of great cultural and ecological significance.

The vice-premier asked departments at all levels to further promote TCM in China by focusing on scientific plans for its development — thus deepening reform of the country’s health system.

She also called for improved TCM services by consolidating the network of grassroots-level TCM services, as well as better TCM talents and related scientific technologies.

Additionally, Liu urged the experts to help promote TCM around the world, with the aim of increasing the country’s soft power.