Global Experts Convene in Beijing to Advance Evidence-Based TCM

The Seventh Beijing Forum on Evidence-Based Medicine and the 2026 eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium convened at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) on October 19–20, drawing 28 experts from 14 countries and regions. Co-hosted by BUCM's Center for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine and the Journal Center, the event marked BUCM's 70th anniversary and focused on integrating reliable evidence into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to support clinical practice and public health. Key figures included Gordon Guyatt, a founder of evidence-based medicine, Nicola Robinson of London South Bank University, Lao Lixing of Virginia University of Integrative Medicine, and Dennis Chang and Alan Bensoussan of Western Sydney University. BUCM Vice President Liu Cunzhi and Journal Center Director Pan Yanshu delivered opening remarks, emphasizing international exchange and resource sharing.

Keynotes addressed evidence reliability, the nature of evidence, and methodological challenges in TCM research. Guyatt stressed that high-quality decisions require systematic appraisal of evidence while considering patient values and preferences. Robinson discussed what counts as evidence, noting that trust requires rigorous research into real effects and risks. Lao Lixing covered Chinese herbal medicine trials, Dennis Chang reviewed global trends in evidence-based integrative medicine, and Terje Alræk shared research on acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue. Roundtables chaired by Fei Yutong and Cao Huijuan explored TCM priority conditions and international cooperation, while a young scholars' session allowed early-career researchers to present work on clinical research, evidence evaluation, and guideline development. The symposium also addressed artificial intelligence and translation of evidence into clinical guidelines.

The eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium brought together Tsinghua University Press representatives and editorial board members. Liu Jianping, co-editor-in-chief, welcomed participants, and Pan Yanshu affirmed the journal's progress in internationalization and indexing. Nicola Robinson reported on the journal's development and board responsibilities. The forum created opportunities for integrating TCM clinical research with international evidence-based medicine methods. Authors are invited to submit manuscripts at https://mc03.manuscriptcentral.com/ecmta; the journal will waive article processing charges until December 31, 2027, and outstanding manuscripts will receive rewards. For more information, see Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine and Technology Assessment.