With a serious interest in TCM, there are 1,500 foreign students at the university enrolled in long-term programs. [Photo provided to China Daily]

For the past four decades, the university has helped cultivate nearly 10,000 TCM doctors, acupuncturists and physical therapists for more than 100 countries and regions.

It has also established a global TCM center that aims to become an international platform for TCM consultation, research, international development by gathering high-level TCM talent from around the world.

In addition to opening courses such as "medical classics", "TCM Chinese writing" and "common Shanghai dialect for clinical use", the university holds various events related to Chinese culture to create a favorable environment for international students to practice their Chinese.

With regard to expanding its global network and establishing international cooperation, the university has established a number of TCM education centers and tai chi health centers through partnerships with well-known overseas universities and organizations.

To promote TCM culture, the university organizes activities and events each year and has even published an English magazine titled TCM Culture. In addition to establishing overseas education bases and Confucius Institutes, the university also cooperates with various universities to jointly develop TCM courses.

The lack of international regulations has long been a concern in the industry. Over the years, the university has worked with global organizations to create international standards and it established an institute to work on TCM's international standardization.

"The international development of TCM is one of China's national strategies, and the international standardization of TCM is the foundation upon which to implement this strategy. Our university now works as a practice platform to serve the strategy," Xu says.