BUCM forum spotlights evidence-based TCM, AI and global research ties

Beijing University of Chinese Medicine hosted the Seventh Beijing Forum on Evidence-Based Medicine and the 2026 eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium on Oct. 19-20, bringing together experts from 14 countries and regions. The meetings focused on how evidence-based methods, artificial intelligence and international cooperation can strengthen traditional Chinese medicine research, clinical practice and public health.

Why it matters: - The forum focused on how traditional Chinese medicine can build stronger clinical evidence and improve public-health use. - The discussions linked TCM research with evidence-based medicine, artificial intelligence and international collaboration. - The event coincided with Beijing University of Chinese Medicine’s 70th anniversary, adding institutional weight to the exchange.

What happened: - Beijing University of Chinese Medicine hosted the Seventh Beijing Forum on Evidence-Based Medicine and the 2026 eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium from Oct. 19 to 20. - Twenty-eight experts from 14 countries and regions took part, including participants from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Canada, the UK, the US, Australia and Norway. - BUCM’s Center for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine and the Journal Center co-hosted the forum, with additional support from BUCM’s International Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine Research Institute and other institutions. - Professors Liu Jianping and Fei Yutong chaired the forum. - BUCM Vice President Liu Cunzhi and Journal Center Director Pan Yanshu delivered opening remarks. - The program included keynote speeches, a young scholars’ session and international roundtables on evidence evaluation, TCM clinical research methods and international cooperation. - The eCMTA Journal Academic Symposium took place on the afternoon of Oct. 20 and included Tsinghua University Press representatives and Chinese and international editorial board members, both online and in person. - Liu Jianping, co-editor-in-chief of eCMTA, welcomed participants. - Pan Yanshu affirmed the journal’s progress in internationalization, database indexing and academic influence. - Letters of appointment were presented during the symposium. - Nicola Robinson, co-editor-in-chief of eCMTA, reported on the journal’s development since launch, including column adjustments, board responsibilities, young editorial members and international influence.

The details: - Gordon Guyatt, a founder of evidence-based medicine and a professor at McMaster University, said high-quality decisions require scientific appraisal and systematic summaries of evidence while considering patients’ values and preferences. - Guyatt said evidence varies in reliability and can help patients understand expected benefits and risks. - Nicola Robinson discussed what counts as evidence and stressed that trust requires rigorous research into real effects and risks, not just individual success stories or personal impressions. - Robinson said evaluating TCM’s efficacy and safety and turning findings into usable evidence remain key challenges. - Lao Lixing discussed methodology and challenges in Chinese herbal medicine trials. - Dennis Chang reviewed global trends in evidence-based integrative medicine. - Terje Alræk shared research on acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients. - Roundtables on TCM priority conditions and international cooperation in traditional medicine were chaired by Fei Yutong and Cao Huijuan. - Experts exchanged views on clinical advantages, research collaboration and application. - Early-career researchers presented work on TCM clinical research, evidence evaluation, acupuncture efficacy and guideline development in the young scholars’ session. - Liu Jianping and international experts commented on the young scholars’ presentations. - The Center for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine has long supported efficacy evaluation, research methods, guidelines and international cooperation. - The forum also addressed artificial intelligence and the translation of evidence into clinical practice guidelines. - Pan Yanshu said evidence-based medicine is a way to test traditional medicine’s clinical value through modern science, not a choice between tradition and modernity. - Pan Yanshu said eCMTA is expected to gather high-quality evidence and promote international dissemination of TCM research. - The symposium featured the journal’s editorial and governance updates, including appointments and development priorities. - The journal is published at the journal platform. - The journal is accepting manuscripts at https://mc03.manuscriptcentral.com/ecmta. - Questions can be sent to ecmta@buem.edu.cn. - The journal will waive article processing charges until Dec. 31, 2027, and outstanding manuscripts will receive appropriate rewards.

Between the lines: - BUCM is positioning evidence-based medicine as a bridge between traditional medicine and modern research standards. - The mix of senior international scholars, young researchers and journal editors suggests a push to build both academic credibility and a wider research pipeline. - The emphasis on indexing, internationalization and manuscript incentives signals an effort to expand eCMTA’s global reach.

What's next: - BUCM and eCMTA are expected to keep building international research links and promoting higher-quality clinical studies. - The journal is seeking more manuscript submissions while offering a fee waiver through 2027. - Organizers said stronger clinical research and better evidence translation could make the clinical value of TCM more scientifically understood and support healthcare quality and public health.