You may already know that in the year 2000, the state of Victoria in Australia is one of the first states in the world to
successfully implement statutory regulation of Chinese medicine with the passing of the Chinese Medicine Act 2000. Since then
we have seen rapid growth and development in the profession of Chinese medicine in Australia. In Victoria there are two
Government funded universities and two privately operated institutions that offer undergraduate training in Chinese medicine,
with the universities also offering opportunities for students to undertake postgraduate degrees focussing on Chinese medicine.
There have also been State and Commonwealth Government funding allocated for research into Chinese medicine.
After statutory regulation of Chinese medicine was implemented in Victoria, several other western countries have followed in
our footsteps. Chinese medicine is one of the most important elements of Chinese culture. The continuing development of
Chinese medicine is extremely important. Chinese medicine has made tremendous contributions to humanity over the last
three thousand years. Such a service shall not go unnoticed.
Western medicine has developed at an exceptional rate; however Chinese medicine has its own unique strengths that are
unmatched. The holistic approach embodied in Chinese medicine has been demonstrated as successful time and time again.
There are increasing numbers of western medical practitioners becoming interested in Chinese medicine.
The purpose of this Congress is to set a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas about Chinese medicine. It is our
hope that this Congress will showcase Chinese medicine to the western world, and provide western medical practitioners with
a better understanding of the scope and strengths of Chinese medicine.
I wish that in the future both Chinese medicine and Western medicine will come together to provide a better understanding of
health and wellbeing, and offer a wider choice of healthcare for people of the world. Your participation in this Congress is much
appreciated and will ensure this event is a fruitful one.
