On May 14, the 2026 Chengdu International Friendship Cities Cooperation and Development Conference grandly opened in Chengdu. With the theme of "Openness for Win-Win, Cooperation for a Distant Journey", the conference gathered government delegations from 37 friendship cities across 28 countries and delegations from 5 international organizations, to discuss international cooperation and promote common development.
Two orthopedic physicians from our hospital, Dong Yuanwei and Gou Xin, were invited to attend the conference. At the "Millennium Treasure, Wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine" Experience Zone, they delivered a special experience of Li’s Pestle Needle (Chuzhen) Therapy to guests from various countries, building a bridge for Sino-foreign cultural exchanges with traditional TCM techniques and showcasing the unique charm and profound heritage of TCM culture.
The TCM Experience Zone was meticulously created by the Chengdu Municipal Health Commission, the Chengdu Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Commerce. It featured traditional therapies, specialty products and immersive TCM cultural experiences, representing a key practice for Chengdu to promote the integrated development of TCM service consumption and trade. As a national intangible cultural heritage and a signature diagnostic and therapeutic technique of our hospital, Li’s Pestle Needle (Chuzhen) Therapy became the highlight of the zone with its unique manipulation and remarkable therapeutic effects, attracting guests from multiple countries to experience it and receiving widespread praise.
At the event, Dr. Dong Yuanwei and Dr. Gou Xin explained the inheritance history, theoretical essence and application scope of Pestle Needle (Chuzhen) Therapy in a professional and detailed manner. During the demonstration, using special needle tools, the physicians performed gentle and precise manipulations such as pressing, kneading, pushing and scraping to stimulate meridians and acupoints, which helps unblock qi and blood, regulate zang-fu organs and relieve fatigue. Guests from the United States, Nicaragua, Tajikistan and other countries took turns to experience the therapy and were full of admiration. Kevin Coleman, Mayor of Westland, Michigan, USA, commented after the experience: "The Pestle Needle (Chuzhen) Therapy made my head feel warm and comfortable, relaxing my body and mind. I’ve never had such a wonderful experience. Traditional Chinese Medicine is amazing!" Lisa Gray, an international guest, also praised repeatedly: "It is amazing! So comfortable! TCM massage and pestle needle therapy are stunning. I’ve fallen in love with Chengdu and TCM culture!"
With a rigorous and professional attitude and skilled techniques, the two physicians conveyed the TCM health concept of "preventing diseases before they occur" and the cultural wisdom of "harmony between humanity and nature" to international friends, breaking cross-cultural cognitive barriers and allowing overseas guests to directly experience the scientificity and practicality of traditional TCM. This appearance at the International Friendship Cities Conference not only fully recognizes our hospital’s characteristic TCM techniques, but also serves as a vivid practice for TCM culture to go global and deepen international exchanges and cooperation.
