On June 11, 2025, the International Symposium on Belt and Road Cooperation for modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine was held in Chengdu, Sichuan. As a themed event of the 2nd Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange, it was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology (AAET), the People's Government of Sichuan Province, and the People's Government of Chongqing Municipality, and organized by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Focusing on the cross-integration and innovation of cutting-edge technologies and traditional medicine, the conference adopted diverse formats including joint position statement release, keynote speeches, and high-level dialogues. It built a platform for traditional medicine exchanges and mutual learning among "Belt and Road" co-construction countries, especially ASEAN nations, contributing to the building of a global community of health for all.

    Li Xiaohong, President of the CAE; Ewe Hong Tat, President of the AAET Adolf F. Mkenda, Minister of Education, Science and Technology of Tanzania; Laksana Tri Handoko, Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia; Pan Xiaodong, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Dan Yanzheng, Vice Mayor of the People's Government of Chongqing Municipality; and Yang Xingping, Vice Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province attended the conference and delivered speeches. The opening ceremony was hosted by Deng Xiuxin, Vice President of the CAE.

    Over the years, under the strategic guidance of the "Belt and Road" Initiative, cooperation in the field of health between China and ASEAN countries, as well as between the CAE and the AAET, has been deepened steadily. At the symposium   , the Joint Position Paper on Traditional Chinese Medicine Cooperation under the "Belt and Road" Initiative by CAE and the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology was released. Both parties will jointly promote scientific and technological innovation to support cultural heritage inheritance, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, strengthen scientific and technological innovation, deepen practical cooperation, and contribute to the health and well-being of people and sustainable development in the region.

    In the keynote speech session, six distinguished experts, namely CAE Members Prof. Wang Qi, Prof. Zhang Boli and Prof. Chen Shilin, as well as AAET Fellow Dr. Te Kian Keong, Indonesian TCM expert Dr. Theresia Dimiyati Lim and Singaporean TCM expert Dr. Teng Seok Chu, shared their research findings and insights on topics such as high-quality TCM development, implementation of international TCM regulations, overseas TCM education development, TCM constitutionology, herbal genomics, and the integration of TCM wisdom with cutting-edge technologies. 

    The high-level dialogue session revolved around two themes: empowering TCM modernization with artificial intelligence and strengthening TCM cooperation with the ten ASEAN countries. The six keynote speakers, together with Yu Shuguang, President of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Zhang Yicheng, member of the Academia Europaea; and Han Zitian, Prof. of Macau University of Science and Technology, participated in the discussions. This session was hosted by Guo Jinlin, Vice President of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    Prior to the conference, Li Xiaohong and Deng Xiuxin held a courtesy meeting with international guests.