Politics · China · 23 hrs ago
China sets rules to protect traditional Chinese medicine knowledge
China has adopted rules to protect traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, including traditional treatments, herbal recipes and ways of preparing medicines.
The regulation covers knowledge passed down through generations, as well as related books, symbols and techniques for growing or identifying medicinal plants.
Government agencies will survey and document this knowledge, then decide what to include in a national protection database and a separate list of particularly important items.
Knowledge holders retain rights to pass on and use what they hold, and others must respect their rights to informed consent and benefit-sharing when obtaining or using it.
The government can support research, training and practical use of knowledge on the protection list, while taking steps to safeguard endangered practices.
Foreign organizations and individuals cannot conduct these surveys inside China, and violators may face fines.
The regulation takes effect on January 1, 2027.
China has issued regulations to protect traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and support its transmission and development.
The rules create a national database and a protection list for selected knowledge.
Knowledge holders have rights to pass on and use their knowledge, and to be informed and share benefits when others access or use it.
The regulations bar overseas organizations and individuals from conducting surveys of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge inside China.
The rules take effect on January 1, 2027.
- Who
- China’s State Council department responsible for traditional Chinese medicine, with provincial and local authorities also assigned duties.
- What
- Regulations establish protections for traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, including a database, a protection list and rights for knowledge holders.
- When
- Issued on November 9, 2026; the regulations take effect on January 1, 2027.
- Where
- China.
- Why
- To protect traditional Chinese medicine knowledge and promote its transmission and development.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
China News Service published the regulations, which were issued from Beijing.
The regulations are scheduled to take effect.
- Effective date
- January 1, 2027
- Database
- A national database will classify protected traditional Chinese medicine knowledge.
- Protection list
- The national department will select representative knowledge with distinctive features and important protection value.
- Knowledge-holder rights
- Holders have rights to transmit and use their knowledge and to informed consent and benefit-sharing when others access or use it.
- Survey restriction
- Overseas organizations and individuals may not conduct traditional Chinese medicine knowledge surveys inside China.