The “2021 Sino-Austrian Online Seminar on Using Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia” co-sponsored by the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (CACMS) and the Austrian Eurasia-Pacific Uninet was held in Beijing on September 27. Zhu Haidong, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine; and Li Kun, Vice President of the CACMS, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Lei Fengyun, Counsellor for Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Austria; Prof. Rausch, President of Eurasia-Pacific Uninet (EPU); and Prof. Rudolf Bauer, head of Austrian Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Alliance, attended the conference online and delivered speeches. 11 experts from Austria, Poland and the CACMS shared the progress of academic research on the prevention and control of novel coronavirus pneumonia, clinical treatment and research, effective drug screening, mechanism of action, and research on mutant virus. A total of over 50 people attended the conference online and offline.
In the speech, Zhu Haidong reviewed the cooperation between Chinese and Austrian governments in traditional Chinese medicine, and pointed out that China and Austria have cemented the friendship in the joint fight against the COVID-19 epidemic. The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine will, as always, support China-Austria international exchanges and cooperation in TCM.
Li Kun introduced the efforts made by the CACMS in helping fight the epidemic at home and abroad. She pointed out that traditional medicine has played an important role in tackling sudden infectious diseases. China and Austria now reach a stage of high-quality cooperation. Both sides should strengthen research on the novel coronavirus, and contribute to the progress in medicine and the people’s well-being.
Prof. Rausch said in the speech that the COVID-19 epidemic is still grim in Austria, with persistently high number of confirmed cases and the death rate. It plays havoc with the lives of the people. Vaccines remain the most effective means to control the epidemic, but the critically ill cannot be vaccinated for various reasons. This meeting explored new ideas for the prevention and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia.
Prof. Rudolf Bauer said that the epidemic brings both difficulties and opportunities to China-Austria exchanges and cooperation. The two sides can conduct new cooperative research in the field of novel coronavirus pneumonia. He believes that TCM can effectively prevent and treat novel coronavirus pneumonia, and hopes to conduct research in this field with the CACMS.
Lei Fengyun said in the speech that this year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, and new progress has been made in the pragmatic bilateral cooperation in various fields. He mentioned that medical and health research (including TCM) is included as the important areas of bilateral cooperation in scientific research and innovation. It is hoped that both sides can take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria as a new starting point for closer cooperation between the two countries.
In the session of keynote speeches, six Chinese experts including Xu Fengqin, Vice President of Xiyuan Hospital; Qi Wensheng, Director of the Emergency Department of Guang’anmen Hospital; Zhao Chen, from the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Research; Yuan, Deputy Director of the Chinese Materia Medica Resource Center; Guo Shanshan, Researcher of the Institute of Chinese Materia Medica of CACMS; and Li Min, from Guang’anmen Hospital; and five foreign professors including Gerhard List, a professor of Medical University of Graz; Norbert, a professor of University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna; Jack Hanizak, from Medical University of Silesia in Poland; Prof. Masin Dergisky, a data engineer; and Rudolf Bauer, head of Austrian Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Alliance, gave reports on the topics of “establishment of community epidemic prevention and control system”, “experience in using traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia”, “research on the effectiveness of TCM for early intervention in novel coronavirus pneumonia”, “screening of Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia based on Chinese Materia Medica and chemical data”, “analysis of the efficacy characteristics of Granules for resolving dampness and relieving internal heat on the mouse model infected with coronavirus infection and its mechanism discussion”, “research on the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia”, “remote acupuncture, photobiomodulation and laser acupuncture for treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia”, “overview of novel coronavirus pneumonia virus and Austrian experience”, “role of herbal therapy in preventing and treating novel coronavirus pneumonia”, and “redevelopment of drugs for prevention and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia using artificial intelligence methods”, respectively.
The Austrian experts praised China’s achievements in using TCM in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, and recognized the efficacy of TCM in preventing and treating novel coronavirus pneumonia. He hoped that more TCM therapies could be used in the clinical treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Europe, and expected that both parties will conduct further research on the mechanism of TCM in preventing and treating novel coronavirus pneumonia.
