Conference Recap: Wildlife Protection in TCM

Treasure of the East joined colleagues from nearly 20 countries and regions to participate in the Wildlife Protection in Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference on October 16, 2022 at the Hilton Financial District of San Francisco, California.

Treasure of the East's Teresa Williams Zhang and Dr. Ann Wang were among several industry leaders from herbal manufacturers and distributors who expressed her company’s support for the protection of endangered wild animals. Teresa's presentation on substitutes to products of wildlife origin is summarized HERE.

"Traditional Chinese medicine as China’s quintessence goes to the world and should take the social responsibility of protecting wildlife"

This conference theme was presented by keynote speakers Dr. Zhilin Dong from the Netherlands, Chairman of World Traditional Medicine Forum (WTMF) and Vice President of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, and Dr. Chunbiao Guo, Secretary-General of WTMF and President of Italian National Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

The live-streaming conference accommodated over 1,000 attendees, with both on-site and online participation. A collective and strong stance on protecting endangered wild animals was expressed, along with the continued efforts to protect tigers, and a current focus on the protection of pangolins. Additionally, attendees expressed concerns about the rampant smuggling of wild animals.

At the conference’s conclusion, a declaration on the protection of wildlife in traditional Chinese medicine was signed by Treasure of the East, together with approximately 30 professional organizations and colleges around the world. 

Notable speakers included:

  • Ms. Huang Lixin, former President of Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) and former President of the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who introduced her experience in actively advocating for and participating in wildlife protection for more than 20 years.
  • Researchers Professor Zheng-tao Wang from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Professor Yibin Feng from School of Chinese Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, and Professor Youbing Zhou from Three Gorges University, who delivered video presentations on medicinal wild animal substitutes and the current situation and dilemma of wild animal protection.
  • Mark McKenzie, Ph.D., Executive Director of Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine (ACAHM), who introduced accreditation standards and professional competencies related to the use of natural products.

  • Daniel Jiao, DAOM, former Chair of National Certification Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), who presented on wildlife protection in the treatment of common gynecological diseases with classical herbal formulas.

  • Jean Giblette, from High Falls Garden in New York, who introduced wild-cultivation in the conservation of Chinese medicinal plants.

The conference was jointly organized by New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Virginia University of Integrative Medicine. 

Co-chairs Yemeng Chen, Ph.D., and Lixing Lao, Ph.D., presided over the conference, and Dr. Yemeng Chen emphasized in his closing remarks that this conference was just the beginning of wildlife protection action, and that further activities would be followed.