Beijing city plans to punish people for ‘defaming’ traditional Chinese medicine
- It’s seen by the Communist Party as a source of national pride, and a draft regulation aims to expand its use in the health care system
- But a proposed ban on ‘denigrating’ TCM has sparked criticism on social media, with some calling it a further intrusion on free speech
The planned regulation, which was released for public consultation in May, is aimed at expanding the use of traditional Chinese medicine in the health care system, from cancer treatment to infectious disease prevention.
One proposed clause bans people from “denigrating or defaming traditional Chinese medicine”. Violating the rule could result in criminal punishment.
Despite the limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, traditional Chinese medicine is seen by the Communist Party as a source of national pride and part of China’s cultural heritage.
While debate over its use regularly erupts online, traditional Chinese medicine has a large, loyal following in the country, among both the older and younger generations.
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Debunking traditional Chinese Medicine myths
The defamation ban proposed in Beijing, however, prompted a wave of criticism on social media, with some internet users calling it a further intrusion into their freedom of speech.
