Twenty-eight experts from 14 countries and regions gathered at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) from October 19 to 20 for the Seventh Beijing Forum on Evidence-Based Medicine and the 2026 eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium. The event, co-hosted by BUCM's Center for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine and the Journal Center, focused on evidence-based medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinical research, artificial intelligence, and international cooperation in traditional medicine. The discussions aimed to explore how reliable evidence can support high-quality TCM development and serve clinical practice and public health.
The forum coincided with BUCM's 70th anniversary. In opening remarks, Vice President Liu Cunzhi emphasized BUCM's long-standing commitment to integrating TCM with evidence-based medicine and expressed hope that the forum would strengthen international exchange and resource sharing. Pan Yanshu, director of the Journal Center, also addressed attendees. The program featured keynotes, a young scholars' session, and international roundtables on evidence evaluation, TCM clinical research methods, and international cooperation.
Notable participants included Gordon Guyatt, a founder of evidence-based medicine and professor at McMaster University, who noted in his keynote that evidence varies in reliability and that high-quality decisions require scientific appraisal and systematic summaries while considering patients' values and preferences. Nicola Robinson of London South Bank University discussed "What Counts as Evidence?", stressing that trust requires rigorous research into real effects and risks, not just individual success stories. Lao Lixing, president of Virginia University of Integrative Medicine, addressed methodology and challenges in Chinese herbal medicine trials. Dennis Chang of Western Sydney University reviewed global trends in evidence-based integrative medicine, and Terje Alræk shared research on acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients.
The forum also provided a platform for early-career researchers to present work on TCM clinical research, evidence evaluation, acupuncture efficacy, and guideline development. Liu Jianping, co-editor-in-chief of the journal Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine and Technology Assessment (eCMTA), and international experts offered comments. Pan Yanshu stated that evidence-based medicine is not about tradition versus modernity but a way to test traditional medicine's clinical value through modern science. She expected eCMTA to gather high-quality evidence and promote international dissemination of TCM research.
The eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium, held on the afternoon of October 20, brought together Tsinghua University Press representatives and Chinese and international editorial board members. Nicola Robinson, co-editor-in-chief of eCMTA, reported on the journal's development since its launch, including column adjustments, board responsibilities, and growing international influence. The journal, which aims to promote Chinese medicine as an integrative approach by providing high-quality evidence to support healthcare decision-making, is currently waiving article processing charges until December 31, 2027, and outstanding manuscripts will receive appropriate rewards. Authors are invited to submit manuscripts via the online portal at https://mc03.manuscriptcentral.com/ecmta, and the journal's latest content is available at https://www.sciopen.com/journal/3078-7963.
The forum's outcomes could have significant implications for global health. By fostering rigorous evidence evaluation and international collaboration, the event supports the integration of TCM into mainstream healthcare and may lead to more scientifically validated treatments. The emphasis on evidence-based methods and the launch of eCMTA as a platform for high-quality research underscore a growing commitment to transparency and scientific rigor in traditional medicine, potentially improving healthcare quality and public health worldwide. Additional information about the event's innovation partners is available at http://chuanlink-innovations.com.
