The International Communication of Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture: Challenges and Strategies

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the essential parts of Chinese culture. As the economic globalization is intensified, it is quite necessary to enhance the international communication of TCM culture. However, there are inevitably a lot of challenges to be faced with, mainly including strict restrictions on entry into foreign markets, unsatisfactory education systems of TCM, defective translated TCM classic works and misunderstanding of Chinese culture. To overcome the challenges and promote the international communication of TCM, four typical strategies are put forward as follows: a) to publicize cultural values of TCM; b) to strengthen the function of supervision and management of TCM; c) to improve the quality of translation of TCM classic works into other languages; d) to expand industries of TCM in the world. By following those strategies, TCM culture may well understand and accepted by people in the whole world.