On October 28, the inauguration ceremony of the China-New Zealand Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine was held simultaneously in Hangzhou and Auckland.

Ye Su, Minister Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in NZ; Xu Zhifeng, CEO of the NZCCM and Li Feng, Principal of the NZCCM, inaugurated the China-New Zealand Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine. Hongwei Wang, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province; Qifeng Cao, Deputy Director of the Health Commission of Zhejiang Province; Zhong Chen, President of ZCMU; and Chengliang Wu, Vice President of ZCMU, jointly inaugurated the China-New Zealand Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine at ZCMU. It marked the establishment of the Center.

Chen Zhong and Xu Zhifeng delivered welcoming remarks. Chen Shijie, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland; Zhu Haidong, Deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation National Administration of TCM, China; Naisi Chen, Member of Parliament, Labour Party, NZ; Paul Goldsmith, Member of Parliament, NZ; Paddy McBride, Chair of the Chinese Medicine Council of New Zealand; Hongwei Wang; and Cao Qifeng delivered speeches for the ceremony.

At the inauguration ceremony, Haidong Zhu expressed his hope that the Center would make more outstanding contributions to the in-depth integration and development of Chinese medicine in New Zealand and Oceania and the building of a community of common health for mankind.

Chen Shijie pointed out that this year is the 50th anniversary of establishing China-New Zealand diplomatic relations. The exchange and cooperation between China and New Zealand in Chinese medicine is an indispensable part of the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. He hoped that the Center would play a positive role in enhancing the health and well-being of nationals in New Zealand and New Zealanders, promoting health exchanges and cooperation, and enhancing people-to-people contact between the two countries.

In his speech, Hongwei Wang stated that ZCMU and the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine should take the Center as a new carrier and platform. To insist on mutual respect, exchange and mutual understanding, mutual benefit and win-win development, thus bringing more benefits to New Zealand people.

Qifeng Cao stressed that it’s an excellent opportunity for TCM to revitalize and develop. He hoped that ZCMU would seize the opportunity to take overseas cooperation institutions such as the China-New Zealand Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine as a carrier. ZCMU should give full play to the advantages of the digital economy and service trade in Zhejiang Province and vigorously promote multi-level and multi-dimensional cooperation in TCM education, treatment, cultural dissemination, scientific research and industry in China and New Zealand.

Naisi Chen, Paul Goldsmith and Paddy McBride congratulated the establishment of the Center on behalf of the Parliament and the Chinese Medicine Council, hoping that the Center will help build a healthier New Zealand by integrating Chinese medicine into its healthcare system.

The establishment of the China-New Zealand Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine was witnessed by Xiaowei Liu, Director of the Division of American and Oceanian Affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province; Zhengfang Chen, Director of Cooperation and Exchange Office, Health Commission of Zhejiang Province; Xiaofei Zeng, Deputy Director of the Heritage and Innovation Office, Health Commission of Zhejiang Province; Jin Zhuang, Director of Division of Trade in Service, Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, as well as other leaders and representatives.

The China-New Zealand Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine is the first overseas Chinese medicine center established by China in New Zealand. It is also a unique project of ZCMU for international cooperation in Chinese medicine, approved by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2021. ZCMU, in collaboration with the New Zealand College of Chinese Medicine, built the Center. The two sides jointly establish courses, organize international conferences, build talent training teams, initiate overseas education alliances in TCM, and actively promote exchange students and visiting students.