Zhang Ling (pseudonym) spent nearly half a month searching online for making an appointment with a recommended traditional Chinese veterinary medicine (TCVM) doctor in Beijing after her six-year-old Chinese field dog, Dou Dou, was paralyzed in a car accident.

She initially had no idea that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could also be used to treat animals. What surprised her even more was that this form of treatment had become so popular that it was quite difficult to make an appointment with a good TCVM doctor in Beijing.

"At first, I tried to register with a famous doctor in the China Agricultural University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (CAUVTH), which is widely known as the best hospital in Beijing for pets. The registration channel for the doctor's service opens eight days in advance at 8 pm. I logged on to the registration platform a few minutes late, only to find that all the available slots were already full," Zhang, 34, told the Global Times.
Special treatment

Zhang's dog was hit by a car in a small town in East China's Jiangsu Province, where veterinary services weren't equipped to perform surgery on the dog during the "gold 24 hours" after the accident.

Having returned to Beijing after the Spring Festival holidays, Zhang took Dou Dou to see a veterinary neurosurgeon at the CAUVTH and another neurosurgeon who came highly recommended online. "The CAUVTH doctor told me Dou Dou had a slipped disc that seriously damaged a nerve, leading to level-five paralysis - the highest level. At this point, even surgery wouldn't be of much help. The other doctor gave me a similar prognosis and said he could attempt stem cell therapy, but the therapy was still in the experimental with few confirmed successes around the world," Zhang said.

Shortly after these disappointing appointments, Zhang discovered TCVM and held out hope that this form of treatment might help her canine companion.

"Modern medicine often employs surgical decompression to treat a slipped disc. But there is little modern medicine can do for level-five paralysis with loss of deep pain sensation lasting more than 48 hours. For these cases, we have established an acupuncture therapy based on the diagnosis through modern medical neurological function tests, and MRI or CT scans, and, in some occasions, it's even more efficacious than surgery," Chen Wu, a professor at the Beijing University of Agriculture and chief expert in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine of the New Ruipeng Pet Healthcare Group, explained to Zhang when she took Dou Dou for his first consultation for the first time.

However, Chen cautioned that "it may be a long process before the dog can finally stand up." This uncertainty weighed a little on Zhang. Nevertheless, given her limited options, she agreed to try acupuncture therapy for Dou Dou for two weeks and observe the results before determining the next steps in treatment.
Rising popularity

On a Friday afternoon in Chen's treatment room at the Chongfuxin international animal medicine center in Changping, Beijing, the Global Times observed Dou Dou's treatment. The canine was placed on a specialized treatment bed covered with grid cloth. His four legs were placed through the openings in the cloth to prevent him from moving. Chen used alcohol-soaked cotton swabs to disinfect some acupoints below the dog's waist and between the toes of the dog's paralyzed hind legs.

Chen then deftly inserted fine acupuncture needles into the pug's acupoints and attached electrodes to the needles to deliver controlled electrical currents. The pug's legs twitched regularly in response to the electrical stimulation.

According to Chen, TCVM is a field of medicine in which veterinarians apply the theoretical principles of TCM to the diagnosis and treatment of animals. In ancient times, Chinese people did use TCVM to treat animals, mainly focusing on horses on the battlefield and oxen used for farming. In modern times, TCVM has also been modified and integrated with Western medicine, spreading as far afield as the US and Japan, along with the development and spread of TCM.

The locations of dogs' acupoints are similar to those in human bodies compared to other animals, making the acupuncture therapy effective for dogs, according to Chen.

After being a TCVM doctor in China for over 30 years, Chen, 59, told the Global Times that he had noticed the increased popularity of TCVM in the country in recent years.

Some pet owners turn to TCVM after Western medicine fails to treat their pets' diseases. Others seek TCVM services as they believe in TCM themselves. TCVM's other advantage over Western medicine is its ability to treat age-related diseases. An increasing number of people seeking TCVM services in recent years do so due to the advanced age of their pets, Chen explained.

Citing an industry report, an article published by the New Weekly magazine on February 27 stated that, currently, there is an upward trend of pet aging in China, with dogs aged 7 (the age threshold for elderly dog) and above accounting for 23 percent of the total in 2024, an increase of 5 percent compared to 2023. It is estimated that in the next three years, over 30 million pets in China will enter middle and old age.

With the rising trend of pet aging, the issues of aged pet care and daily pet healthcare have gradually become focal points of concern for pet owners. This brings about new opportunities for Chinese TCVM practitioners.

"Our vision is to establish an authentic TCM institution for pets, integrating traditional medical philosophies into daily pet healthcare," Wu Yingjiu, the 59-year-old funder of the first TCM clinic for pets in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, told the Global Times.

According to Wu, the clinic, named Wang Miao Tai Yi Tang, which means medical hall for dogs and cats, handles about 10 in-person consultations and dozens of online assessments daily. Its services range from customized herbal formulas and acupuncture, to post-operative rehabilitation and preventive care.

"Most of our patients are senior pets with chronic conditions or mobility issues, and some others are diagnosed with difficult diseases. Poodles, French Bulldogs, and Corgis are among our most common patients," Wu said.

"Like human TCM practitioners, we customize treatments, different formulas for different conditions," Deng Xurong, a TCVM doctor at Wu's clinic, told the Global Times.

The applicable diseases for TCVM include neurological disorders, musculoskeletal issues and muscle problems, as well as various types of ascites, skin diseases, and miscellaneous diseases, particularly in cases where long-term Western medical treatments have not been effective. Compared with Western medications like antibiotics or steroids, herbal TCM medications also offer gentler interventions with noticeable effects, Deng said.

Integrated approach

After four rounds of acupuncture treatments, Dou Dou's reaction to electrical stimulation improved. But Chen told Zhang that the improvement was far from an indication that the dog would stand up in near future, saying two months. In the next stage of treatment, more rehabilitation methods would be incorporated to exercise and strengthen the muscles of the dog's paralyzed legs.

According to Chen, it has taken up to a year and a half for some level-five paralyzed dogs that he's treated to stand up and walk again.

Zhang decided to continue the acupuncture treatment while incorporating rehabilitation exercises. She did not make the decision without hesitations. "I have seen with my own eyes some improvement from the acupuncture therapy, but, in fact, I was still not sure what effect, if any, that acupuncture had. But it seems like it is the only thing I can do for the dog now," she said.

For pet owners like Zhang who still remain skeptical about TCVM, Wu told the Global Times that he understands that TCVM is still an unfamiliar concept for the majority of the public.

He believes the greatest advantage of TCVM lies in its fundamental regulation and preventive care before disease onset. For acute and critical conditions, he would recommend pet owners seek Western medicine for symptom relief first, followed by TCVM for long-term diagnostic treatment.

As a practicing doctor and professor in TCVM with 30 years' experience, Chen said "Traditional Chinese and Western veterinary medicine each have their strengths, but neither is perfect on its own. It is necessary to learn from each other's strengths and develop in a complementary manner. Some diseases are well suited for TCM, while others may require Western medicine first."

Additionally, some conditions benefit from a combination of both approaches. Only by integration can we provide the best options for animal health, the doctor said.

An integration approach would also help to prove efficacy and win TCVM international recognition, according to Chen.

For example, Chen's team had conducted animal experiments to reveal the scientific mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of intervertebral disc disease. Under the same diagnostic criteria with Western medicine, the team uncovered the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture in treating intervertebral disc disease in dogs. This has further enhanced the understanding of the clinical value and scientific basis of acupuncture among international veterinary field, he noted.

In fact, as early as in 1974, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS) was founded in the US to promote the use of veterinary acupuncture and to increase education in this modality. At this time, there were 80 members of the society, according to the society's website.

The society also provides certification courses in veterinary acupuncture and veterinary Chinese herbal medicine to applicants.

Chinese TCVM practitioners have also taken action to promote the industry's development in its birthplace.

A public welfare initiative for the inheritance and development of TCVM launched in 2017 by Chen and other practitioners has trained over 8,000 key clinical practitioners in pet TCM across the country.

In China, the uptake of TCVM is still low in the curriculum of veterinary universities, and the training of TCVM professionals still needs to be strengthened. Policies, laws, and regulations to regulate and support the development of TCVM industry is also urgently needed, Chen stressed.

Lai Ching-te's obstinate stance on "Taiwan independence" and his rampant provocation and confrontation once again prove that he is an outright "destroyer of cross-Straits peace" and a "creator of crisis in the Taiwan Straits," said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Thursday.

Lai held a so-called "high-level national security meeting" on Thursday and, in his remarks afterward, once again propagated the separatist fallacy of "mutual non-subordination" between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. He claimed that "Taiwan is a sovereign, independent, democratic nation," deliberately hyped the so-called mainland "threat," labeled the mainland as a "foreign hostile force," and put forward "17 major strategies" in response to the so-called "five threats," according to Chen.

While Lai seeks personal gain by selling Taiwan island, he is also acting against the tide of history by intensifying "green terror" on the island, suppressing political dissents, inciting "anti-China" sentiment, escalating cross-Straits confrontation, obstructing cross-Straits exchanges, and forcibly promoting "decoupling and severing supply chains" between the two sides, all in service of his "Taiwan independence" separatist agenda, said the spokesperson.

These actions are aimed at diverting attention from internal contradictions and alleviating his governance predicament, serving his purpose of pursuing "Taiwan independence," Chen said, noting that this fully exposes his sinister nature - prioritizing the interests of his party and himself at the expense of worsening social divisions on the island, forcing the Taiwan people onto the "Taiwan independence" chariot, and pushing Taiwan toward the perilous brink of war, said Chen.

Chen emphasized that the island of Taiwan is a sacred and inseparable part of China's territory. It has never been, and will never be, a country. Taiwan belongs to all Chinese people - this is an undeniable historical and legal fact, as well as the status quo across the Taiwan Straits that cannot be changed. Our determination to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is as solid as a rock, and our capability is unshakable. We will never allow any person or force to separate Taiwan from China, nor will we leave any room for any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. If "Taiwan independence" separatist forces dare to cross the red line, we will have no choice but to take decisive measures.

Chen sternly warned the Lai authorities that those who play with fire will eventually get burned. Those who forget their heritage, betray their motherland, and seek to split the country will come to no good end; those who engage in "Taiwan independence" separatist activities will only end up being crushed; and those who act against the tide of history and defy universal justice are doomed to perish. The great trend of national reunification is advancing irresistibly, and no person or force can stop it. All sinister schemes are destined to fail.

Ahead of his state visit to Peru in November last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping published a signed article in Peruvian newspaper El Peruano, reflecting on the Intihuatana stone -- an ancient altar in Machu Picchu where the Incas tracked the seasons and crafted calendars based on the shifting solar shadows.

He noted that the structure operated on the same principles that inspired the creation of sundials in ancient China. "Many told me that Chinese and Peruvian peoples would feel an instant warmth upon their first encounters and would have a deja vu when appreciating each other's ancient artifacts," he wrote.
Since assuming Chinese presidency, Xi has made cultural exchange a hallmark of his diplomatic approach. Cultural exchange is a project aimed at "bringing the hearts and minds of the people closer together and building a better future," he has said, a belief he has carried since his days working at local positions.

In 2005, as secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, he sent a congratulatory letter to the opening of the province's first Culture Week program in Europe. Among the highlights of the event, held in France's Alpes-Maritimes, was an exhibition of paintings by local farmers and fishermen -- a unique form of Chinese folk art depicting the rhythm and beauty of rural and coastal life through vibrant hues and evocative forms.

As Chinese president, Xi has been consistently advocating for mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual learning between different cultures and civilizations.

During his state visit to France in May last year, he brought Chinese translations of classic French novels as gifts for his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. In return, Macron presented him with a special work by French author Victor Hugo.

Thanks to his steadfast push, cultural exchanges between China and other countries are flourishing. Over the past decade, China has organized over 30 cultural and tourism year programs with other countries, notably those participating in Belt and Road cooperation.

"The Chinese civilization … has become what it is today through constant interactions with other civilizations," Xi said at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations held in May 2019 in Beijing.

"Long-term self-isolation will cause a civilization to decline, while exchanges and mutual learning will sustain its development. A civilization can flourish only through exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations," he added.

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) released a statement on Monday, revealing details about four members of the "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" linked to "Taiwan independence" forces and warning that the internet is not beyond the reach of the law. They must recognize the situation, abandon the fantasy of "Taiwan independence," refuse to become cannon fodder for "Taiwan independence," and cease their cybercriminal activities that undermine national unity, the MSS said.

The revealed members include Lin Yushu, born in 1979, head of the Network Environment Research and Analysis Center of the "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command", and Cai Jiehong, born in 1993, team leader of the center, while Nian Xiaofan, born in 1982, and Wang Haoming, born in 1990, are active personnel at the center, according to the MSS. The MSS also revealed with their photos and Taiwan ID numbers.

In recent years, national security agencies have closely monitored and investigated cyber infiltration activities by Taiwan island's "internet army." They have identified multiple individuals involved in the planning, commanding, and executing these activities, according to the MSS.

The "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" was established in June 2017 as the "fourth branch" of the Taiwan authorities and was restructured in 2022 as a direct agency of the "defense department" of the island. It primarily handles electronic warfare, information warfare, cyber warfare, and military line maintenance, serving as the main force for the island of Taiwan's cyber operations against the mainland, according to MSS.

Since its inception, the "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" has served as an instrument of "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, orchestrating cyberattacks and infiltration against the mainland. China's national security agencies are firmly committed to resolutely combating their cyber espionage activities, thoroughly investigating the masterminds behind these actions and eliminating potential threats, the MSS said.

The "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" has specifically hired hackers and cybersecurity companies as external support to execute the cyber warfare directives issued by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities. Their activities include espionage, sabotage, and propaganda. 

Common tactics employed by them include infiltrating critical information infrastructure in the Chinese mainland, such as water, electricity, gas, heating, communication, and networked cameras; sending phishing and propaganda emails to key party, government, military, and enterprise units in the mainland; stealing login credentials for online streaming platforms, networked electronic displays, IP network intercom systems, or portal websites, and after gaining control, broadcasting counterpropaganda audio and video or posting propaganda images; lurking on mainstream social media platforms, nurturing a large number of "bot" accounts to spread false information, manipulate public opinion, mislead the perceptions of the people from the island and the mainland, and monitor and suppress dissenting voices on the island, the MSS noted.

Since 2023, they have used aliases like "Anonymous 64" to spread false information on social media, attempting to bolster the DPP authorities' push for "independence."

The so-called internet army continues to exaggerate its achievements, fabricating non-existent platforms to bolster its claims. In their cyberattack activities, they extensively uses open-source tools such as AntSword, IceScorpion, Metasploit, and Quasar. Recently, national security agencies have traced and seized dozens of cyberattack platforms used by the "army," discovering new trends in their attacks and espionage against important sectors in the Chinese mainland, and have thoroughly verified and dealt with these issues, cutting off the "black hands" of espionage, the MSS said.

Under the pretext of enhancing "asymmetric warfare capabilities," the DPP authorities have funneled taxpayer money into building a cyber army aimed at attacking, infiltrating, and spying on the mainland, an effort that will ultimately prove futile, the MSS stated.

Meanwhile, behind the blind expansion of the "Taiwan independence" cyber army lies internal chaos. Senior officials are greedy for achievements and engage in infighting, viewing frontline personnel as "cannon fodder," appropriating the "merits" of their subordinates, and even handing over "meritorious individuals" for legal action. The individuals were not only pocketing funds under the guise of executing tasks, inflating expenses, colluding with external forces to "earn the difference," but also were exaggerating, misrepresenting, and fabricating the "results" of cyberattack activities to claim credit and obtain performance rewards, according to the statement.

The MSS warned that "Taiwan independence" is a dead-end road. National security agencies remain steadfast in protecting national sovereignty, security, and development interests and will take all necessary punitive measures against "Taiwan independence" separatists in line with relevant legal provisions.

The Philippine side brought in the Typhon system to cater to the US side would only place its national security and defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of arms race in the region. It's like holding a candle to the devil and playing the jackal to the tiger, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to the Philippines' claim that the country would return the Typhon system to the US so long as China stops claiming its territory, harassing its fishermen and attacking its ships.

The Chinese side has made clear multiple times our firm opposition against the US deployment of the mid-range missile system in the Philippines, Zhang said. The Typhon missile system is a strategic asset and an offensive weapon. The Philippine side has repeatedly gone back on its words and brought in the system to cater to the US, he said.

"Such decision would only place its national security and defense in the hands of others, and lead to geopolitical confrontation and risks of arms race in the region. It's like holding a candle to the devil and playing the jackal to the tiger," Zhang said.

As we all know, the territory of the Philippines is defined by a series of international treaties, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, the 1900 Treaty between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain for Cession of Outlying Islands of the Philippines, and the 1930 Convention between His Majesty in Respect of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States regarding the Boundary between the State of North Borneo and the Philippine Archipelago, Zhang said.

China's Nansha Qundao and Huangyan Dao fall outside the Philippine territory. It's legitimate, lawful and beyond reproach for the Chinese side to conduct law-enforcement activities in relevant waters, the spokesperson noted.

By using the deployment of Typhon as a bargaining chip on the South China Sea issue, the Philippines is selling out its own national security, putting the well-being of its people and regional peace and stability at grave risk. Such behavior is ridiculous and dangerous, Zhang noted.

"We require the Philippine side to recognize the high sensitivity and severe consequences of this issue, remove the Typhon missile system as soon as possible to honor its open promises, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultations at an early date. China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely counter provocations and infringements and safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the spokesperson said.