The 2026 National Conference on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Registration Management and Quality Safety Supervision was held in Guangzhou from February 27 to 28. The meeting was guided by Comrade Xi JinPing’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implemented the guiding principles from the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and all previous plenary sessions of the 20th Central Committee, and carried out the requirements set forth at the national work conference on drug regulation. It reviewed the work accomplished in 2025 and during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, analyzed the current situation and challenges, and studied and planned the key tasks for 2026. Yang Sheng, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Commissioner of the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), attended the meeting and delivered a speech. 

The meeting acknowledged that in 2025, drug regulatory authorities at all levels across the country conscientiously implemented General Secretary Xi JinPing's "Four Strictest" requirements for drug safety supervision and his series of important instructions on promoting the inheritance, innovation, and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They upheld the guiding role of Party building, strictly safeguarded safety bottom lines, and continuously deepened reforms. New achievements were made in enhancing the whole-chain regulatory efficacy of TCM, new breakthroughs were realized in stimulating industrial innovation vitality, new milestones were reached in improving regulatory capacity building, and new ground was broken in international exchanges and cooperation. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the overall safety situation of TCM remained stable with positive momentum, inheritance and innovation were further advanced, industrial development improved in quality and efficiency, regulatory science made solid progress, and significant results were achieved in all aspects of TCM regulation.

The meeting pointed out that 2026 marks the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The entire system must consistently be guided by Comrade Xi JinPing's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, ensure high-level safety through high-efficiency regulation, improve TCM quality, and promote the inheritance and innovation of TCM. First, it is essential to uphold higher standards and stricter requirements to fortify the safety bottom line of TCM and steadily improve TCM quality. Second, it is necessary to adopt a systematic approach in planning the key tasks for TCM regulation during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, continuously strengthen whole-chain TCM regulation, and facilitate the transformation and upgrading of the TCM industry. Third, we must adhere to a clinical value-oriented approach, comprehensively deepen regulatory reforms, continuously refine the review and approval system, implement quality standard improvement initiatives, and advance the high-quality development of TCM. Fourth, systematic planning and coordinated advancement should be pursued to improve the regulatory framework and standards system for TCM, strengthen technical support capacity, and enhance regulatory efficacy. Fifth, we should support the development of the TCM industry in Hong Kong and Macao, deepen international coordination on TCM regulation, and present China's experience and achievements in traditional medicine regulation to the world.

The meeting emphasized that the entire system must uphold the spirit of reform and strict standards, strengthen work style development, and fully integrate the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council throughout the entire process of TCM regulation, thereby providing a solid political guarantee for improving TCM quality and advancing the inheritance and innovation of TCM.

During the meeting, the principal officials of the Department of Drug Registration and the Department of Drug Supervision under the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) respectively made specific arrangements for key tasks in TCM registration management and post-market supervision for 2026. The meeting also invited Academician Liu Liang of the Chinese Academy of Engineering to deliver a special report on empowering the high-quality development of the TCM industry through artificial intelligence. Provincial drug regulatory authorities from Tianjin, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Chongqing, and Xinjiang delivered exchange speeches.

The meeting was attended by the heads of TCM regulation and relevant division heads from provincial (autonomous region and municipality) drug regulatory authorities across the country and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, officials from relevant NMPA departments and affiliated institutions, as well as representatives from the Health Bureau of the Central Military Commission Logistics Support Department, relevant departments of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the National Committee for the Evaluation and Protection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Varieties.