Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) is marking its 70th anniversary in 2024, highlighting its prominent role in advancing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) both domestically and internationally. As the sole institution specializing in TCM included in China’s prestigious Project 211, Project 985, and the Double First-Class initiative, BUCM has built a comprehensive framework that integrates talent cultivation, scientific research, medical services, cultural preservation, and global cooperation.
Founded as a pioneer in modern TCM higher education, BUCM has expanded its influence worldwide by training over 30,000 TCM practitioners from 170 countries and regions since admitting its first international students in 1957. The university maintains partnerships with 132 universities and research institutions across 35 countries, offering a variety of programs ranging from overseas degree courses and joint Sino-foreign education programs to short-term study tours. Notably, BUCM has launched the world’s first TCM and Biology dual-degree program in collaboration with Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, and it offers TCM degree programs taught in English from undergraduate to doctoral levels in multiple countries including Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkmenistan, and Romania.
To further extend TCM’s global reach, BUCM operates six overseas centers in Germany, Australia, Russia, the United States, Malaysia, and Turkmenistan. The clinical services provided at its centers in Germany and Russia have been integrated into local health insurance systems, reflecting growing acceptance of TCM practices abroad. The university also emphasizes cultural exchange by promoting a “Chinese language plus TCM culture” approach, developing bilingual online exhibitions, and hosting public cultural events. Its academic publishing endeavors include running Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, the first English-language TCM journal launched by a Chinese university, and in 2025, introducing the first English-language evidence-based TCM journal.
BUCM’s faculty includes more than 150 national-level experts and academicians such as Wang Yongyan, Wang Qi, and Tian Jinzhou, alongside recognized national TCM masters. The institution operates three state-level teaching teams and has cultivated a comprehensive system for training professionals across undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing education levels. It received approval in 2024 to host China’s sole national research base for TCM textbook development and operates a national center dedicated to training top-tier TCM professionals. In 2025, it expanded its academic offerings by launching the School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and the School of Future Medicine, aligning traditional medicine education with cutting-edge technologies.
Research at BUCM has led to influential outcomes, including the development of national TCM standards and the receipt of multiple prestigious awards such as the National Scientific and Technological Progress Award. Collaboration among government, academia, industry, and research institutions underpins technology transfer efforts, benefiting over 300 enterprises and generating industrial output exceeding 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion). The university holds several national patents and has secured clinical trial approvals for new medicines, exemplified by successful projects like visualized acupuncture treatment.
Clinically, BUCM manages a network comprising eight affiliated hospitals, four national regional medical centers, and one clinic, supporting both healthcare provision and medical education. A strategic alliance uniting 141 TCM hospitals nationwide extends its influence and capacity to serve public health needs. The university maintains an active alumni association with approximately 170,000 graduates worldwide, offering extensive alumni services and engagement platforms.
Looking forward, BUCM has set long-term goals to enhance its global standing in TCM research and education. It aims to be recognized internationally as a leading research university by 2030, rank among China’s top medical institutions by 2035, and achieve world-class status by 2050. The university remains committed to preserving traditional Chinese medicine heritage while pursuing innovation, integration of education, science, and technology, and contributing to global health challenges through the application of TCM knowledge.