Green Barriers And Countermeasures For The Import And Export Of TCM in ASEAN Countries Under The Belt And Road Initiative Ⅱ
Sep 12, 2024
Abstract: ASEAN countries have a huge market for Chinese medicine consumption. Chinese medicine is widely welcomed in the ASEAN region due to its traditional cultural background and unique therapeutic properties. With the high-quality promotion of the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the import and export trade of Chinese medicine in ASEAN countries has gradually become a highlight of the coordinated development of China and ASEAN countries in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. At the same time, Chinese traditional medicine enterprises are also facing challenges brought by the green barriers of ASEAN countries. This paper analyzes the green barriers of ASEAN countries on the import trade of Chinese medicine under the "Belt and Road" initiative and summarizes the measures taken by Chinese traditional medicine enterprises in China to deal with the green barriers of ASEAN countries, in order to provide substantial reference and suggestions for the import trade of Chinese medicine in ASEAN countries, so as to promote the sustainable development of Chinese medicine trade, improve the competitiveness of Chinese traditional medicine enterprises, and promote the positive development of the Chinese medicine industry.
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Keywords: "Belt and Road" Initiative; Chinese medicine export; ASEAN countries; green barriers; green trade; legal rights and interests of enterprises
1 Introduction
The "Belt and Road" initiative covers many regions such as Asia, Europe and Africa. It aims to achieve connectivity, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges among countries along the route by promoting infrastructure construction, strengthening trade cooperation and promoting cultural exchanges. China and ASEAN have always maintained close economic ties, which have been further strengthened under the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides have deepened trade cooperation and jointly promoted the development of infrastructure construction, energy cooperation and digital economy. As an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine has a long history and profound cultural heritage. With the increasing recognition of Chinese medicine by the international community, the demand for Chinese medicine in the international market has gradually increased. Under the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese medicine has become an important means to promote cultural exchanges and economic cooperation between China and foreign countries. The import and export trade of Chinese medicine plays a key role between China and ASEAN countries, promoting cooperation between the two sides in the field of medicine, not only promoting the international dissemination of Chinese medicine, but also providing opportunities for the development of the Chinese medicine industry in the countries along the Belt and Road. However, the import trade of Chinese medicine still faces some challenges, including trade barriers, standard differences and green barriers. Therefore, studying the green barriers of ASEAN countries in the import trade of Chinese medicine under the Belt and Road Initiative is an important part of understanding the development of this field, which will help promote sustainable cooperation and common prosperity of the Chinese medicine industry.
2 Trade Status of Chinese Medicine Imports from ASEAN Countries
With the deepening of the "Belt and Road" initiative, China's trade cooperation with ASEAN countries has become increasingly close. Among them, Chinese medicine, as a key trade variety, has gradually gained wide recognition in the ASEAN region, the market scale has continued to expand, and the scale of imports and exports has grown steadily. The cooperation between trading partners in terms of standard compliance, trade policies, etc. has been continuously strengthened, providing broad market opportunities for the Chinese medicine industry. This positive trade situation has not only promoted the dissemination and development of Chinese medicine in the region, but also injected new impetus into the culture of Chinese medicine on the international stage.
2.1 Trade Scale of Chinese Medicine Imports from ASEAN Countries
China is one of the main suppliers of Chinese medicine in the ASEAN region, and has widely exported various Chinese medicine products to ASEAN member countries, including raw materials, Chinese medicine granules, Chinese medicine slices, etc. Chinese medicine trade covers multiple levels, including herbal medicines from natural plants to finished Chinese medicines that have been processed, extracted and processed into various dosage forms.
2.2 ASEAN's demand for Chinese medicine and market characteristics
The demand for Chinese medicine in ASEAN is influenced by many factors, including traditional medical value, profound cultural background, comprehensive treatment concept, personalized medicine, natural therapy and the international influence of Chinese medicine. These factors make Chinese medicine not only a medical method in ASEAN, but also an important part of cultural heritage and physical health. The tradition and unique medical value of Chinese medicine make it widely accepted and used in some ASEAN countries.
Traditional Chinese medicine has always had a large market in the ASEAN region because it can meet the local residents' belief in traditional medical methods and reflects the deep cultural traditions and historical background of the ASEAN region. The concept of comprehensive treatment, personalized medicine and natural therapy also makes traditional Chinese medicine a popular health choice.
As the international influence of traditional Chinese medicine continues to expand, more and more people have become interested in Chinese medicine and the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine is believed to have a positive effect in improving immunity and promoting recovery, which has aroused widespread attention to traditional Chinese medicine. This increase in recognition and interest has had a positive impact on the demand for traditional Chinese medicine in the ASEAN region.
In general, the outstanding position of traditional Chinese medicine in the ASEAN market is not only due to its medical effects, but also due to its deep cultural heritage and the fit with the concept of comprehensive health. Against this background, traditional Chinese medicine continues to be popular in the ASEAN region and has become an important choice for people's health management.
2.3 Management regulations on the import of traditional Chinese medicine in ASEAN countries
The regulations implemented by ASEAN countries on the import of traditional Chinese medicine mainly include product registration, quality control, labeling regulations and import procedures. In terms of product registration and approval, imported Chinese medicine products usually need to be registered and approved in ASEAN countries, including submitting detailed product information, quality control documents, production processes and necessary clinical trial data. In terms of quality standards and certification, ASEAN countries have established corresponding standards for imported Chinese medicine products, and some countries require Chinese medicine products to obtain relevant certification to ensure that they meet international standards. In terms of labeling and packaging regulations, most ASEAN countries require that the labels of Chinese medicine products contain necessary information, such as ingredients, usage, dosage, etc. At the same time, certain requirements are put forward for packaging to ensure the safety and integrity of the product during transportation. In terms of the recognition of Chinese medicine formulas, some ASEAN countries have made clear requirements on the use of Chinese medicinal materials, the proportion of formulas, etc. to ensure the safety and effectiveness of Chinese medicine. In terms of import licenses and import procedures, some ASEAN countries require imported Chinese medicine products to obtain import licenses and have detailed regulations on import procedures, including completing applications, approvals, customs declarations, etc. In terms of the protection of culture and traditional knowledge, ASEAN countries require imported Chinese medicines to respect and abide by local culture in accordance with relevant provisions of their own intellectual property rights in order to achieve the purpose of protecting their own traditional culture and intellectual property rights. 2.4 New Trade Trends of TCM Imports to ASEAN Countries under the "Belt and Road" Initiative
With the in-depth implementation of the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the strengthening of regional economic cooperation, the trade ties between China and ASEAN countries have become increasingly close, and the import of TCM in ASEAN countries has shown a positive new trend. In terms of market expansion and growth, as one of the important trade commodities, TCM has gradually expanded its market in the ASEAN region, and the scale of trade has shown a growth trend. In terms of diversified products, the types of imported TCM have gradually diversified, including traditional Chinese herbal medicines, Chinese medicine granules, Chinese medicine slices, etc.
In terms of improving standard compliance, in order to ensure the quality and safety of TCM products, the cooperation between importing ASEAN countries and China in standard compliance has gradually strengthened, and they have worked together to ensure that TCM products meet relevant international standards and improve the credibility of imported TCM. In terms of scientific and technological innovation, the TCM industry has gradually focused on scientific and technological innovation, including the application of modern pharmaceutical technology and biotechnology, which has not only improved the production efficiency of TCM products, promoted the innovation and international development of the TCM industry, but also brought new impetus to the market competitiveness of TCM in the ASEAN region. In terms of establishing cooperation platforms, the "Belt and Road" initiative has built a broader cooperation platform for the traditional Chinese medicine industry, prompting China and ASEAN countries to carry out deeper cooperation in scientific research, medical exchanges, talent training, and other aspects, and further promoting the international development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
In summary, the main problems facing China's export trade of traditional Chinese medicine products are unreasonable export structure and excessive concentration on traditional low-value-added or "original" Chinese herbal medicines and plant extracts. It is expected that Chinese herbal medicines and plant extracts will continue to be the main export products in the future, while high value-added and technical Chinese patent medicines and health products will develop slowly and have weak international competitiveness and comparative advantages, and their export share will be small. The main reason for this problem is the lack of systematic evaluation methods and research and development capabilities that meet the characteristics of the complex system of traditional Chinese medicine at this stage. In addition, in the mainstream international evaluation system, direct evidence has not been provided to support the therapeutic effect and drug safety of traditional Chinese medicine, which has affected the progress of registration of traditional Chinese medicine products abroad. At the same time, the production control and quality management of traditional Chinese medicine have not been integrated into the entire process of research, development and production. Most traditional Chinese medicine production lines have only achieved mechanization and automation, and cannot reach the level of digitalization and intelligence. Therefore, it is very difficult to open up the pharmaceutical market dominated by Western medicine.
