The 7th International Congress of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was successfully held in the picturesque city of Piatra Neamț, Romania, from June 12 to 13, 2026. Centered on the theme “Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Bridge Between Tradition and Science,” the congress was jointly organized by the Romanian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SRMTC), the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași (UMF Iași), and the Confucius Institute within UMF Iași.More than one hundred experts, researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, and students from Romania, China, France, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Egypt, and other countries gathered to discuss the modernization and international development of traditional medicine. Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony included Dr. Gai Hongbo, Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Romania; Mr. Vasile Adrian Niță, Mayor of Piatra Neamț; Dr. Valerica Ilieș, President of SRMTC; and the Chinese and Romanian directors of the Confucius Institute within UMF Iași, all of whom delivered welcoming remarks.
A congratulatory letter from Prof. Dr. Viorel Scripcaru, Rector of UMF “Grigore T. Popa”, Iași, was presented by Dr. Magdalena Cuciureanu, Professor of Pharmacology at UMF Iași, Head of the Romanian Section of Traditional Chinese Medicine Studies, and member of the Confucius Institute Board. In her message, Rector Scripcaru emphasized the university’s strong commitment to the development of TCM education and the cultivation of internationally minded healthcare professionals.She highlighted UMF Iași’s leading role in hosting the congress and expressed confidence in its success.Since the establishment of the Confucius Institute, TCM education at the university has achieved significant milestones, including the publication of the bilingual English-Romanian textbook Fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine, jointly developed by Chinese and Romanian faculty members. More than one hundred students have enrolled in elective TCM courses, while the university’s acupuncture and TCM training program has received official approval from Romania’s Ministries of Education and Health and has been highly praised by participants.
In her address, Dr. Gai Hongbo noted that Traditional Chinese Medicine represents one of the treasures of Chinese civilization and continues to contribute to global health through its diverse therapeutic approaches. She commended the Romanian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine and UMF Iași for their longstanding efforts in promoting TCM locally and facilitating Sino-Romanian medical exchanges. She also called for deeper international collaboration among medical institutions and scholars to promote mutual learning and integration between traditional and modern medicine for the benefit of global public health.Mayor Vasile Adrian Niță welcomed participants from around the world and expressed the city’s honor in hosting such a high-level international medical event.
Speaking on behalf of the Confucius Institute, Ms. Gabriela Cuciureanu, Director of the Confucius Institute within the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, highlighted the fruitful cooperation between UMF Iași and Huazhong University of Science and Technology in academic exchanges and joint research. She noted that the Confucius Institute has organized numerous international conferences and public outreach activities, including Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Days and free medical consultation programs, allowing Romanian citizens to experience the therapeutic value and cultural richness of TCM. She reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to serving as a bridge for medical and cultural exchange between China and Romania.
The congress featured keynote lectures by seven distinguished Chinese experts from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Shaanxi Qihuang Yingxiang, who shared the latest achievements in TCM clinical practice and scientific research.
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- Prof. Dr. Chen Guang (P.R. China) presented Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis, offering a comprehensive overview of TCM approaches and clinical evidence in the management of chronic digestive diseases.
- Prof. Dr. Li Man (P.R. China) delivered Research on the Mechanism of Acupuncture Analgesia, explaining the biological mechanisms through which endogenous cannabinoids participate in electroacupuncture-induced pain relief.
- Prof. Dr. Huang Dongmei (P.R. China) discussed Application of Acupuncture in Infertility, highlighting the role of acupuncture in assisted reproduction and the treatment of gynecological disorders.
- Dr. Zhao Tingting (P.R. China) introduced Cotton-Soaked Moxibustion (PūMiánJiǔ): Integrating Classical TCM Theory with Modern Scientific Evidence for Dermatological Conditions—A Standardized, Medicated Advancement of Cotton-Laying Moxibustion, combining traditional theory with modern evidence-based medicine and demonstrating standardized clinical procedures.
- Prof. Dr. Jiang Shujun (P.R. China) presented TCM External Therapies in Pediatrics: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Mechanisms—Experience from the First TCM Pediatric Expert Clinic at Tongji Hospital, showcasing the effectiveness of pediatric massage, abdominal manipulation, and acupoint applications in treating common childhood illnesses.
- Prof. Dr. Luo Xiao (P.R. China) delivered Traditional and Modern Mingling: Unveiling Neo-Chinese Aesthetics Trends, exploring innovative integrations of traditional Chinese medical philosophy with modern aesthetic medicine.
- Mr. Li Zenghui (P.R. China) presented The Origin and Development of External Therapies in Traditional Chinese Medicine, tracing the historical evolution and contemporary applications of acupuncture, tuina, moxibustion, and other external TCM therapies.
In addition to Chinese experts, the congress brought together renowned scholars in acupuncture and integrative medicine from Europe and the Middle East. Among the participants were Dr. Angela Tudor, former President of SRMTC, and Dr. Valerica Ilieș, current President of SRMTC, who contributed valuable insights from Romanian clinical practice.Prof. Dr. Carlo Maria Giovanardi, President of the Italian Federation of Acupuncture Societies and former Vice President of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, presented research on acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. Dr. Marc Martin from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Rouen, France, discussed acupuncture-based therapeutic strategies for sleep disorders. Dr. Olivier Cuigne, President of the Belgian Medical Acupuncture Association, shared clinical findings on the use of electroacupuncture for pain management in endometriosis.Adi Fromm, Director of Reidman College of Integrative Medicine, Israel, introduced balancing therapy approaches for gastrointestinal dysfunction. Veteran Israeli TCM practitioner Aaron Adler conducted a specialized workshop demonstrating the application of tuina therapy within modern integrative medicine. Prof. Dr. Hemat Allam of Egypt’s National Research Centre delivered a presentation entitled Advanced Acupuncture Systems in Pain Management: A Neurofunctional and Integrative Perspective, focusing on comprehensive integrative treatments for chronic pain.Throughout the congress, experts engaged in lively discussions on challenging gynecological disorders, neurological diseases, auricular acupuncture, occupational health, and integrative medicine. The exchange of perspectives from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds greatly enriched the international academic scope of the event.
As a core organizing institution, the Confucius Institute within UMF Iași successfully coordinated the participation and reception of seven Chinese TCM experts, serving as an important bridge for academic exchange between China and Europe. The congress provided an international platform for Chinese specialists to showcase the latest advances in TCM clinical practice and scientific research while further deepening medical and cultural cooperation between China and Romania.In her closing remarks, Dr. Valerica Ilieș, President of SRMTC, emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between European and Chinese medical communities. She called for the integration of the millennia-old wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern evidence-based medical systems to promote the standardization, scientific development, and global recognition of TCM, thereby contributing to the advancement of public health worldwide.