On April 27, 2026, a delegation from the International Academy of Food and Phytomedicine Homology (IAFPH), led by President Professor Jean-Yves Moisseron and Executive Vice President Dr. Feng Shixing, visited the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS). The delegation held a symposium with Pan Ping, Deputy Secretary-General of WFCMS, Li Xinxue, Deputy Director of the International Liaison Department, and other department heads. The two sides engaged in profound discussions on topics including traditional medicine exchanges between China, France, and Africa, research on medicine and food homology, development of medicinal plant resources, the construction of joint scientific research platforms, and the international dissemination of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
A group photo of the IAFPH delegation and WFCMS representatives.
During the symposium, WFCMS introduced its work in global TCM organizational network construction, international exchange and cooperation, standards promotion, talent cultivation, and cultural dissemination. Yang Zhiming, Secretary-General of IAFPH, delivered a thematic presentation on behalf of the Academy. He highlighted IAFPH's foundation of work in carrying out traditional medicine exchanges, medicinal plant research, "medicine and food homology" cooperation, and the construction of cross-regional platforms in Europe and Africa.
IAFPH focused on introducing its relevant work in advancing traditional medicine exchanges and the construction of cross-regional cooperation platforms.
Both sides agreed that Sino-French-African cooperation in traditional medicine possesses strong complementarity. China holds systemic advantages in TCM theory, clinical practice, industrial systems, and talent cultivation. France plays a pivotal role as a platform for scientific research organization, international cooperation, and dissemination within Europe, while Africa possesses abundant medicinal plant resources and a solid foundation in traditional medical practice. Leveraging the global network of WFCMS and IAFPH's collaborative foundation in France and Africa, the two parties can strengthen cooperation in areas such as traditional medicine exchange, medicinal plant resource research, internationalization of "medicine and food homology" products, talent cultivation, construction of joint scientific research platforms, and assisting enterprises in expanding to overseas markets.
Deputy Secretary-General Pan Ping fully recognized IAFPH's achievements in building France-Africa cooperation platforms, promoting the transformation of industry-university-research results, and assisting Chinese enterprises in going global. He stated that WFCMS has always taken the promotion of international dissemination and multilateral cooperation of TCM as its mission. He looked forward to deepening coordination with IAFPH, leveraging the resource advantages of both sides to jointly promote the standardized, localized, and sustainable development of TCM and traditional medicine in France, Africa, and other regions. President Jean-Yves Moisseron stated that, with the support of WFCMS, IAFPH will further establish a normalized cooperation mechanism, jointly organize international exchange activities, and encourage French and European professionals to visit China for study and exchange. Furthermore, it will synergistically promote the internationalization of medicinal plants and "medicine and food homology" products, and deepen scientific research cooperation and talent cultivation in traditional medicine for Africa through the Joint Research Unit (JRU) mechanism.
President Jean-Yves Moisseron presented a book to Deputy Secretary-General Pan Ping, followed by a commemorative group photo.
Both parties agreed that the exchange during this symposium was pragmatic and comprehensive, laying a solid foundation for further deepening their cooperation. In the future, both sides will utilize specific projects as catalysts and cooperation platforms as pillars to promote the dissemination, research, and application of TCM and traditional medicine in France and Africa. This collaboration aims to contribute to the global exchange and mutual learning of traditional medical knowledge.