Dear friend,
On behalf of all of us at AcuMedic, Chinalife and the Secretariat of the CMIR & CUC, I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy healthy New Year!
Lots of water has passed under my bridge in the last few months! With all the colours and eventful interactions that I’ve experienced, the fullness of such makes it difficult for me to know where to begin sharing with you…
The world is facing a possible recession as the result of the sub-prime banking crisis and the American economic slow down although the credit crunch may be counter-balanced by the rising Eastern economies. The China factor is looming large not only in economic and financial terms, but also in terms of a different civilization and social values. In medical integration, China is making the modernization and globalization of Chinese medicine a top priority in her national policy. A huge sum of money has been earmarked for this development which is an important part of China’s interaction with the outside world. China has just published an outline of the policy with 14 ministries and government departments involved in its implementation. The EU Commission responded with a joint Conference on Medical Collaboration organized by the Italian Ministry of Health and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology. This initiative, culminating in the Beijing Declaration on International Chinese Medicine Collaboration, is a historical milestone.
On reflection, during the many conferences and summits that I have attended, I’ve had a heightened sense of the dynamics of change in the global geography of medicine and health!
The clinical research papers delivered at many conferences were innovative and of the quality that signal advances in medical integration and the increasing involvement of sciences, such as System Biology, that might have an impact on providing evidence for Chinese medicine. The key question is in developing a medical methodology capable of guiding the medicine of the future beyond both current Evidence-Based-Medicine and holistic traditional medicine model. The Chinese specialists rightfully ask, “If you use EBM to evaluate Chinese medicine, then can you imagine how the nuns will manage the monks?” Such a question might bemuse you, but it hits right at the centre of the debate in theoretical medicine. “Seeing is no longer believing” according to Prof. Lisa Randall of Harvard University who is postulating the theory of a fifth dimension and multiverses to be proven by experiments in particle physics at CERN next year. If this is proven, the Evidence-Based Medicine methodology of objective empiricism would be out dated by the advances in theoretical science. But then what is the nature of a cognitive logic that can arrive at a fuller picture of true knowledge? This awaits contributions from many great minds!
Prof. Herbert Pietschmann in Vienna told me that according to quantum physics, “The properties of objects, by measurement, are not determined but created”. Perhaps the answer lies in between quantum physics, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity and the dialectic logic of Lao Tzu and Hegel.
During the CMIR Medical Conference at the Royal College of Physicians in March, Dr. Andrew Wu predicted the resurgence of Avian Flu in Nov/Dec this year and I was amazed by a report warning of bird flu incidents given on television today (18th December 2007). Dr. Wu’s prediction was based on Chinese traditional wisdom in epidemic occurrences. Chinese medical wisdom and rich clinical experience are in need of a comprehensive evaluation and an innovative logical restructure of their system methodology in order to further contribute to 21st century mainstream medical developments. With over 32,000 seed plants (12% of the known world total) and 12,000 medical plants, China (together with South East Asia) is amongst the world’s “Hot Spots” in biodiversity and phytomedicine according to a specialist report during the Ministry of Science and Technology Conference in Beijing this November.
I do not wish this letter to arrive as a heavy note during your festive celebrations. I would like to end this letter with positive Qi by telling you how impressed I am with the Guy’s, King’s, ST Thomas and St George’s medical students in their presentations on integrative medicine as part of their education at the AcuMedic Foundation course. They are the integrative physicians of the future!
You may be interested to know that your happiness (乐) in the New Year may depend on being at ease with the plant radical on top of this character (药) which means “medicine” in Chinese! The concept of medicine in Chinese wisdom is using herbs to regulate happiness. Incidentally, the character for happiness also means ‘music’, therefore I’m signing off with my recent picture of a lady playing the Pipa reflecting the soul of Chinese culture:
Much happiness to you and your family!
Yours sincerely,
MFM
Professor Man Fong Mei
Highlights of events after our CMIR “Integrative Medicine – the Future?” conference at the Royal College of Physicians in March 2007
继伦敦中医学院与英国中医注册学会2007年3月在英国皇家医学院召开“结合医学－医学未来？”国际大会后活动纪实
Sino-European Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine
International Cooperation and Perspective in Science and Technology
中欧中医药大会 －国际科技合作
In 2006 the Ministry of Science and Technology
together with other ministries formulated a program for international cooperation in Science and Technology. The program is supported by substantial funds for the modernisation and globalisation of Chinese medicine. The initial action of the program is to organise submit and conferences for its implementation. This conference in Rome and summit in Beijing November were part of this process.
Projection of Thai Conference
Continuation of the CMIR International Conference on “Integrative Medicine – the Future?”
泰国医学大会计划 －继续伦敦中医学院“结合医学－医学未来？”会议
The CMIR International Conference
on Integrative Medicine held in March at the Royal College of Physicians was a tremendous success. The possible collaboration with Thailand’s Ministry of Health for a joint conference in Bangkok was discussed during Prof. Mei’s visit to Thailand, to continue the spread of the spirit of integration at the CMIR conference in March.
Establishment of the China – UK Consortium (CUC) for Medical Integration, Research and Collaboration
An united voice for Collaboration with China
英中医药合作联盟成立 －以统一联合的步调与中国合作
The China – UK Consortium (CUC) for Medical Integration,
Research and Collaboration was founded on 18th August 2007 at the AcuMedic Medical Centre, London, to foster closer links between the UK and China, and to develop collaborations between the two countries in medical research and integration.
The consortium consists of leading academic and R&D institutions in the UK with partners in Europe and China. CMIR and its sister organisation AcuMedic Foundation are amongst the founding members with Professor Man Fong Mei elected as the Chairman of the CUC. The CUC aims to contribute into international co-operation and exchange in the medical fields for mutual benefit. Through this connection, the consortium wishes to establish liaisons with organisations of similar pursuits and missions.
The Third World Integrative Medicine Congress
Inheritance, innovation, harmony and development
第三届世界中西医结合大会 －传承 创新 和谐 发展
On September 22, the Third World Integrative
Medicine Congress opened in Guangzhou. Prof. Chen Keji led with five Chinese academicians and more than 1,000 domestic and foreign experts discussed the development of Chinese and Western Medicine with a comprehensive summary of clinical development in Integrative Medicine. Prof. Mei’s paper on medical methodology was well received by academic specialists from many countries.
Medical Trip to China
Chinese Medicine, culture and life encounters
医学访华团 －中医 文化 生活交汇
This year’s medical trip to China was eventful yet exciting. It coincided with the Chinese 17th Party Congress in Beijing and the 4th China-ASEAN – Expo and International Folk Song Festival in Guangxi. Clinical studies in Guangxi Medical University and extensive sightseeing across Beijing and Guangxi made this trip an inspiring memorable event. Prof. Mei has also received his Professorship from Guangxi Medical University earlier this year.
Spirit of Integration – International perspectives
Prof. Mei’s round trip for promotion of East-West Integration in November 2007
发扬光大综合医学精神 －记梅万方教授11月份国际会议、论坛
- Vienna – Science and Philosophy 奥地利维也纳大学结合医学论坛－科学与哲学
Globalisation and Integrative Medicine Conference, Vienna, 6-8 November 2007Professor Mei delivered a
report on Globalization and Integrative Medicine – Theoretical Issues concerning Evidence-Based- Medicine (EBM) and Dialectical – Based – Medicine (DBM) at the Vienna University Symposium on Medical Methodology. Prof. Friedrich Wallner bemused by a remark made during the debates. - Beijing – Strategy, System and Policy 中国北京首届中医药高峰论坛－战略 体制 政策
Traditional Chinese Medicine Summit, Beijing 13-14 November 2007The CPPCC National Committee of Education,
Science, Culture and Health, Committee of the Chinese Peasants, the National Federation of Industry and Commerce and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine co-sponsored the first Summit on Chinese medicine at the CPPCC National Committee Auditorium. Minister She Jing, Prof. Ren Dequan, former vice director-general of SFDA China, delivered important papers on the development of Chinese medicine. Prof. Mei also presented a keynote speech on The Polemics of Chinese Medicine Development. - Singapore – Inherit, Innovation and Development 新加坡第四届国际传统医药大会
2nd General Assembly of WFCMS and the 4th International Congress of Traditional Medicine, Singapore, 17-18 November 2007The conference was held
by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS). Minister Xu Wenyuan of the Health Ministry of Singapore opened the ceremony. Prof. Mei re-presented his report on The Polemics of Chinese Medicine Development, and was re-elected as the Vice-Chairman of the 2nd Council Board of the WFCMS. - Shenzhen – Chinese Materia Medica Development
2nd Congress of Specialty Committee of Chinese Materia Medica, and the International Innovation Forum on Chinese Pharmacology Application and Circulation, Shenzhen, P.R. China, 23-26 November 2007
世界中联中药专业委员会“中药合理应用与中药流通领域创新发展”2007国际论坛The Forum attracted 11 countries, more
than 500 experts, specialists and entrepreneurs with over 70 papers and reports on quality control and evaluation of Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine research and innovation. Prof. Long Zhixian chaired the panel session on Chinese herbal medicine research. Prof. Mei as the vice-chair of the Speciality Committee of Chinese Materia Medica, delivered a report on Creating an Enterprise Culture for the Internationalisation of Chinese Medicine. - Beijing – Cooperation in Science and Technology 北京科技部中医药国际科技合作大会
International Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference for Cooperation in Science and Technology, Beijing, 28-29 NovemberThe conference, hosted by the Ministry of
Science and Technology of China, conveyed Beijing Declaration on International Traditional Chinese Medicine Cooperation in Science and Technology. Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi, Chinese Minister of Health Chen Zhu, Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang delivered important speeches on government policy relating to the development of Chinese medicine. Prof. Mei, as the Chairman of the China-UK Consortium for Medical Integration, Research and Collaboration, led the UK delegation to the conference to further international collaboration between UK and China.
East – West Medical Education Encounter
King’s College and St George’s Medical Schools’ Students Study Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, engaging in East-West Medical Integration
东西医学教育交汇－英国国王学院及圣乔治医学院学生在伦敦中医学院学习中医、针灸课程，开展结合医学教育
The CMIR has been pioneering acupuncture and Chinese medicine education for medical students. Currently several medical schools are collaborating with CMIR in providing courses for their students including Guys Kings St Thomas’s Medical School (University of London) and St George’s, University of London.
THE MFM E-LETTER expresses the personal view of Professor Man Fong Mei on health, medicine and other East-West intellectual issues. He is currently the Chairman of the Chinese Medical Institute and Register (CMIR)，Chairman of The Chinese Medical Council, UK（CMC）, and Executive Chairman, Consultative Working Committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS). Professor Mei has published and delivered numerous papers in the past two decades. He is also a professor and visiting professor at three Chinese medical universities and an active member of several medical specialty research committees. If you are interested in receiving future issues of the MFM E-Letter, please visit http://www.acumedic.com/email-updates/mfm_e-letter/ to subscribe for free.
You can also follow Professor Mei on Twitter: @Prof.Mei
The content of this e-letter does not constitute a statement of guarantee of any kind. It is subject to change without notice and without prejudice.
梅万方教授现任英国伦敦中医学院院长、英国中医管理委员会主席、世界中医药学会联合合工作咨询委员会执行主席。近二十年以来，发表和出版了大量的学术报告与文章，并担任国内三所医药大学的教授，同时参与数个医药专业研究机构的工作。MFM电子通讯表达了梅教授在健康、医药和其他中西文化思维方面的相关观点。 如果您对他的电子通讯感兴趣，欢迎点击这里免费订阅。
欢迎访问梅教授的博客，跟踪他的Twitter @Prof.Mei。