US Health Secretary and Chinese Minister of Health sign memorandum of understanding on TCM research

US Health and Human Services (HSS) Secretary Mike Leavitt signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese Vice Minister of Health Wang Guoqiang to foster collaboration between scientists in both countries in research on TCM. The signing opened a two-day TCM research meeting at the US NIH. The meeting agenda featured scientific presentations by researchers from both countries on topics such as the synthesis of Western medicine and TCM, criteria for evaluating TCM practices, and the application of modern scientific tools to the study of TCM. Participants at the talks included a delegation from the Chinese State Administration on TCM, academics from US universities, and scientists and researchers from the NIH, Indian Health Service and FDA.

<http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2008pres/06/20080616b.html>, accessed September 1, 2008.