I. General Requirements
Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will fully implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and instructions during his inspection of Chongqing, and closely align with the city’s “33618” modern manufacturing cluster system and “416” science and technology innovation layout,we will integrate industry, academia, research, and medical practice to drive the high-quality development of the modern TCM industry. We will strive to build a modern TCM industrial cluster rooted in the western region, radiating across the nation, and facing the world—one that embodies Chongqing’s distinctive identity—as well as a globally renowned destination for TCM-integrated cultural tourism and wellness.By 2027, the city’s level of ecological and standardized cultivation of Chinese medicinal materials will have steadily improved; the TCM health industry and its product offerings will have continued to expand; the modern TCM industry will have achieved comprehensive development; and the industry’s scale, agglomeration effects, innovation capacity, research capabilities, and brand influence will have significantly increased. A modern TCM industrial system will be basically established, and a sound TCM industrial ecosystem will be formed.
II. Key Tasks
(1) Implement the Action Plan for Improving Quality and Efficiency in Chinese Medicinal Herb Cultivation
1. Optimize spatial layout. Publish the Chongqing Catalog of Authentic Medicinal Herbs to guide differentiated and coordinated development across all districts and counties (autonomous counties, hereinafter referred to as districts and counties). Support the development of industrial clusters for Chongqing’s authentic medicinal herbs, such as the “Daba Mountain Herb Valley” and “Wuling Herb Capital,” to contribute to rural revitalization.
2. Focus on Developing the “Ten Chongqing Herbs.” Strengthen technical research on variety improvement and quality enhancement for the “Ten Chongqing Herbs,” establish germplasm resource nurseries and high-quality seed propagation bases, build a million-mu strategic reserve base for the “Ten Chongqing Herbs,” advance the development of on-site processing capabilities, and support the development of the entire industrial chain. By 2027, the cultivation area of the “Ten Chongqing Herbs” will be stabilized at over 1.2 million mu.
3. Promote standardized cultivation. Support the establishment of a number of Chinese medicinal herb bases certified under the “Three Products and One Standard” and GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) standards. Promote the “enterprise + cooperative (base) + farmer” model, encourage the establishment of “customized medicinal herb gardens,” and develop the sector through “contract farming and guaranteed-price procurement.”Advance the registration of pesticides for medicinal crops, promote green pest and disease control, and ensure safe pesticide use. By 2027, the city’s Chinese herbal medicine cultivation area will be stabilized at over 3.1 million mu, with an output value exceeding 13 billion yuan.
4. Strengthen Resource Conservation and Utilization. Enhance the conservation and utilization of medicinal plant germplasm resources, and promote the construction of strategic reserve bases for medicinal plant germplasm. Intensify the breeding of new varieties and the propagation of high-quality seeds for authentic medicinal materials, rationally plan the layout of medicinal plant seed production bases, and establish a number of high-quality seed propagation bases. Support the establishment of commercial platforms for seeds and seedlings.Conduct surveys and assessments of rare medicinal resources, and intensify research on key technologies such as propagation, bio-mimicry, and substitution for these resources. Support the construction of cultivation (breeding) bases for rare and endangered medicinal materials, including artificially reared Cordyceps sinensis, forest musk deer, sika deer, and black-striped snakes.
(2) Implement the Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Revitalization and Development Initiative
5. Build modern traditional Chinese medicine industry clusters. Promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine industry clusters such as the Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park and the Fuling District Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry Cluster. Support these parks in attracting and cultivating market entities engaged in traditional Chinese medicine extracts, functional foods and products, and equipment manufacturing; establish public service platforms for technical services, technology transfer, industrial incubation, and testing and inspection; and create an integrated CRO+CDMO/CMO service platform.By 2027, the city will cultivate and develop 2 TCM industrial clusters with an annual output value of 10 billion yuan each and 4 clusters with an annual output value of 5 billion yuan each.
6. Vigorously promote the attraction and cultivation of TCM enterprises. Support TCM enterprises across the city in building large-scale national-level bases and platforms to drive connectivity and complementarity across the industrial chain. Support TCM enterprises in enriching their product pipelines through independent R&D, business cooperation, and leveraging the Marketing Authorization Holder (MAH) system to revitalize approved TCM product codes. Attract TCM proprietary medicine enterprises to establish operations in Chongqing and provide tailored “one enterprise, one policy” guidance and services.Support the digital and intelligent transformation of TCM enterprises across the city, and build a number of digital workshops and smart factories. By 2027, the city aims to cultivate one leading TCM enterprise with revenue exceeding 10 billion yuan and two TCM enterprises with revenue exceeding 5 billion yuan; attract and foster more than five enterprises ranked among the top 100 in China’s TCM industry; and achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8% in TCM industrial output value.
7. Cultivate major “Chongqing-produced TCM” products. Publish the Chongqing Catalog of Major TCM Formulations and encourage and support the inclusion of products listed in the catalog into the designated drug lists of medical consortiums and integrated healthcare communities in accordance with regulations. Support the secondary development of major TCM formulations such as Huoxiang Zhengqi Liquid, Ganju Bingmei Tablets, Compound Jujube Seed Capsules, and Huanshao Capsules.Strengthen the cultural heritage and brand development of time-honored TCM enterprises, and strive to build the “Chongqing-produced TCM” brand. By 2027, the city will cultivate 5 major TCM patent medicine products with an output value exceeding 1 billion yuan and 40 major TCM patent medicine products with an output value exceeding 100 million yuan.
8. Promote the innovative development of TCM formulations in medical institutions. Release a list of TCM formulations from leading medical institutions at an appropriate time. Strengthen intellectual property protection, encourage TCM enterprises to participate early in the formulation of collaborative prescriptions by medical institutions and the collection of clinical experience, facilitate the conversion of clinical experience into clinical evidence, and explore a development pathway of “renowned physicians and formulas—TCM formulations—new TCM drugs.”Further optimize the registration and filing management of TCM formulations in medical institutions, support their transfer and use across the city, and support the transfer and use of TCM formulations from qualified medical institutions between the lead hospitals of National Regional Medical Centers and project hospitals in accordance with regulations. Explore the establishment of regional formulation centers to provide commissioned TCM formulation preparation services. By 2027, the city will have added no fewer than 30 new TCM formulations in medical institutions.
(3) Implement the “Traditional Chinese Medicine Plus” Derivative Industry Expansion Initiative
9. Accelerate the development of new sectors in food and medicinal substances. Explore the formulation of a Chongqing Municipal Directory of Food and Medicinal Substances, and promote the inclusion of species such as Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and Curved-stem Dendrobium (Dendrobium nobile) in the National Directory of Food and Medicinal Substances. Develop a range of food and medicinal substance products using Chinese herbal materials such as Polygonatum, Ganoderma lucidum, and Gastrodia elata as raw materials; establish a number of industrial bases for food and medicinal substances; and create a series of popular food and medicinal substance products such as “San Cheng Special Drink” and “Agastache Cola.”Develop a catalog and guidelines for the “108 Ba-Yu Medicinal Dishes,” build the “Ba-Yu Medicinal Cuisine” brand, organize promotional events and competitions for food and medicinal substance culinary culture, and foster the development of the medicinal cuisine industry.
10. Research and develop “Traditional Chinese Medicine Plus” derivative products. Accelerate the research, development, and application of health foods, functional foods, and medical foods using Perilla frutescens, Gastrodia elata, Saussurea costus, and Citrus medica as raw materials. Support TCM enterprises in developing daily necessities and cosmetics with TCM extracts as active ingredients, and cultivate 3–5 product series such as toothpaste and shampoo.Support TCM enterprises in strengthening the R&D and production of veterinary medicines and feed additives using Chinese medicinal materials such as Coptis, Lonicera, Angelica pubescens, Artemisia annua, and Forsythia, as well as their by-products.
11. Develop “Traditional Chinese Medicine Plus” cultural tourism and wellness initiatives. Support Nanchuan District in establishing a National Pilot Zone for the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and create TCM wellness and cultural tourism destinations such as Huangshui in Shizhu, Jinfeng Mountain in Nanchuan, Xiannv Mountain in Wulong, and Kanggu in Chengkou. Strengthen the construction of TCM cultural promotion bases and cultural venues; support the development of TCM-themed streets (towns); and promote and launch premium “TCM Plus” tourism routes and products featuring hot springs, forests, and wellness experiences.
(IV) Implement the Science and Technology Innovation Empowerment Initiative
12. Improve the scientific research system. Actively promote the establishment of an integrated TCM research and development system that closely links industry, academia, research, and medical practice among universities, research institutions, medical institutions, and pharmaceutical enterprises. Establish mechanisms for multidisciplinary innovation and interdepartmental collaborative research, and strengthen basic research in TCM. Support research institutes in carrying out reforms regarding intellectual property usage, management of research outcomes, evaluation, and incentives; conduct pilot programs for the “equity-for-rights” reform of TCM scientific and technological achievements; and establish mechanisms for the distribution of benefits and risk-sharing in the commercialization of TCM scientific and technological achievements.By 2027, the city will have 45 provincial-level or higher TCM science and technology innovation platforms.
13. Strengthen Talent Recruitment and Cultivation. Intensify efforts to recruit and cultivate leading talents such as academicians, National Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Qihuang Scholars, and build a "goose formation" of scientific and technological innovation talent in key disciplines and fields of traditional Chinese medicine. Support traditional Chinese medicine enterprises in recruiting and cultivating "high-end, specialized, and scarce" scientific and technological talent and innovative teams. Support higher education institutions in establishing national first-class majors and doctoral programs in traditional Chinese medicine, building industry-education integration bases for traditional Chinese medicine, and cultivating multidisciplinary talent in the field.Strengthen the training, selection, and job placement of professionals in traditional Chinese medicine, cultivating a cohort of skilled practitioners in herbal cultivation, addressing shortages in herbal processing, and fostering young Qihuang Scholars in the field. Select and establish a number of master herbalist inheritance studios. By 2027, the city aims to add a total of at least six new National Masters of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nationally Renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, and National (Young) Qihuang Scholars.
14. Strengthen Scientific and Technological Innovation. Strive to establish national medical centers specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as national key laboratories and national technology innovation centers in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Reinforce the leading role of TCM enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, explore enterprise-led mechanisms for selecting major TCM research topics, and actively integrate technologies such as AI to drive breakthroughs in key generic technologies for related industries, as well as enhance pilot testing and industrialization capabilities.Strengthen organized research efforts, focusing on key TCM herbal materials produced in Chongqing. Intensify research and development of core technologies such as variety selection and breeding, high-efficiency cultivation (farming), pest and disease control, and antibiotic alternatives. Focus on major chronic diseases, major intractable diseases, emerging and infectious diseases, and pediatric medications to vigorously foster the development of innovative TCM drugs. Promote the local transformation and introduction of TCM research achievements. By 2027, the city aims to develop 1–2 innovative TCM drugs.
(5) Implement the Full-Chain Service Optimization Initiative
15. Optimize Review and Approval Processes. Establish an innovative “research-review linkage” service system for traditional Chinese medicine and create a “one product, one strategy” support mechanism.Actively strive to establish the Southwest Branch of the National Drug Evaluation and Inspection Center and seek authorization to pilot the reform of the evaluation and approval procedures for optimized drug supplemental applications. Promote the research, registration, and commercialization of alternatives to rare and endangered TCM materials, such as artificially cultivated Cordyceps sinensis and processed bear bile powder. Support the research and development of compound preparations based on ancient classic TCM formulas, as well as their registration applications. Support the registration of medical foods and health foods, and optimize the filing process for domestically produced health foods.
16. Enhance Quality Standards. Revise and improve Chongqing’s standards for Chinese medicinal materials, processing specifications for Chinese herbal slices, and the catalog of medicinal materials for on-site processing (fresh-cut), and explore the development of grading standards for authentic Chinese medicinal materials.Establish the Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Information and Traceability Service Platform to build a comprehensive quality traceability system covering the entire TCM industry chain and process. Support research and evaluation of marketed proprietary Chinese medicine preparations, and establish a number of rapid testing laboratories and regional third-party TCM quality inspection and testing centers. Strengthen quality supervision of TCM materials sold both online and offline, and investigate and punish illegal activities such as adulteration and passing off counterfeit products as genuine.
17. Strengthen circulation and reserves. Support the construction of origin trading centers in major Chinese herbal medicine production areas that integrate warehousing, logistics, and market information dissemination.Explore the development of integrated online and offline digital trading platforms. Promote mutual recognition of standards for Chinese herbal materials and prepared herbal slices in regions such as Sichuan and Chongqing. Support the establishment of a National Traditional Chinese Medicine Service Export Base, build overseas TCM centers in “Belt and Road” countries such as Singapore, promote the international registration and market expansion of Chongqing-produced TCM products, and leverage the role of medical aid teams to facilitate the integration of the TCM industry into local healthcare systems.Make full use of platforms such as the China Western Investment and Trade Fair, organize the Liangjiang Conference on High-Quality Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and host the Chongqing Authentic Medicinal Materials Trade Expo. Guide enterprises to establish medicinal material reserve warehouses in major production areas, promote the principle of “supplementing shortages with surpluses,” and ensure production needs and market supply.
18. Support clinical application. Strengthen support through medical insurance policies, encourage public medical institutions across the city to procure traceable Chinese herbal materials and decocted pieces bearing Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) labels, and promote the principle of “higher quality, higher price.”Promote the coordinated development of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Support non-TCM-trained physicians in prescribing proprietary Chinese medicines and TCM decoction pieces in accordance with regulations, and continuously increase the proportion of TCM preparations, TCM decoction pieces, and proprietary Chinese medicines used in medical institutions. Organize medical institutions and TCM enterprises to conduct transparent promotional activities, and support medical institutions in conducting GCP-compliant clinical trials. Launch pilot projects for the construction of smart shared TCM pharmacies and gradually expand their implementation.
III. Support Measures
(1) Strengthen Organizational Guarantees. Enhance organizational leadership for the integrated and innovative development of the city’s TCM industry. Further strengthen the workforce of relevant municipal-level departments overseeing the TCM herbal materials industry chain. The Municipal Health Commission (Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine) will take the lead in studying major issues and policies, strengthen supervision and guidance, and establish a streamlined operational coordination mechanism. District and county governments must strictly fulfill their primary responsibility for the development of the TCM industry, accelerate the formulation of local TCM industry development plans based on their actual conditions, and promote their implementation.
(2) Strengthen Policy Support. Coordinate funding from multiple channels to reinforce the diversified investment mechanism for TCM, and encourage TCM enterprises and research institutions to increase R&D investment. Expand insurance coverage for Chinese herbal medicine cultivation and new drug R&D; support districts and counties in including Chinese herbal medicines within the scope of insurance for advantageous and distinctive agricultural products; and increase subsidies for cultivation and breeding.Encourage municipal-level industrial investment funds to participate in equity investments in the TCM industry through market-oriented mechanisms. Encourage banking institutions to diversify their supply of specialized credit products, develop warehouse receipt pledge loans for TCM enterprises and composite supply chain financing for the TCM industry, and streamline loan and financing procedures.
(3) Strengthen Publicity and Guidance. Intensify promotion of “Chongqing-produced Traditional Chinese Medicine,” establish the “Chongqing Meets Qihuang” cultural brand, and conduct promotional campaigns for TCM wellness, health preservation, and cultural tourism and wellness. Leverage the role of TCM industry associations to elevate the industry’s development standards. Launch the “Five Entries” campaign to promote TCM culture, advocate for healthy lifestyles, foster healthy consumption concepts, and create a positive social atmosphere.
(4) Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation. Establish and improve a statistical monitoring mechanism for the TCM industry, enhance statistical analysis of indicators across all stages—including herbal resources, cultivation, processing, distribution, and services—and develop a comprehensive statistical indicator system. Conduct supervision, inspection, and quantitative evaluation of the implementation performance of TCM policies, and optimize and refine policy measures as appropriate.
