On August 15, 2025 (Beijing Time), the opening ceremony for the “El Salvador Overseas Training Program on Smart Traditional Medicine” was held at the Training Center of the El Salvador Social Security Institute (ISSS). This program is hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and undertaken by Xiyuan Hospital of CACMS (hereinafter referred to as “Xiyuan Hospital”). This marks the successful implementation of China’s first systematic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) cooperation project between China and El Salvador under the “Belt and Road” Initiative, and is a solid step forward in the dissemination and development of TCM in Latin America. 

Group Photo at the Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including: Mr. Xu Yuansheng, Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in El Salvador; Dr. Carlos Alvarenga el viceministro de Minsal, Vice Minister of Health of El Salvador; Dra. Mónica Ayala Guerrero, Director General of the ISSS; Lic. Daniel Quinteros, President of the Higher Council of Public Health (CSSP), as well as the first batch of over 30 Salvadoran trainees. Together, they witnessed this important moment. 

Secretary Li Qiuyan delivered the “First Lesson of the Program” 

On August 13, Li Qiuyan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Xiyuan Hospital, led the first batch of experts team to arrive in El Salvador. Under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in El Salvador, they visited the Ministry of Health, the ISSS, and the CSSP, etc. to prepare for the program.

Expert Team from Xiyuan Hospital arrived in El Salvador

Meeting of the Chinese Ambassador in El Salvador and Commercial Counselor with the Expert Group

The “El Salvador Overseas Training Program on Smart Traditional Medicine” is an important part of the human resources cooperation project by China’s Ministry of Commerce toward El Salvador. It is executed by Xiyuan Hospital, for a period of 90 days and is implemented in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. As Li Qiuyan pointed out, this was not only a milestone in deepening health cooperation between the two countries and improving people's well-being, but also a vivid practice of actively building a “Community of Shared Human Health". Li Qiuyan also stated that, “This is another groundbreaking exploration by Xiyuan Hospital, which has a glorious 70-year history, in the field of international exchange and cooperation in TCM. We feel a great sense of mission”.

The expert team visited the EI Salvador Ministry of Health

The expert team visited the ISSS

The expert team visited the CSSP

The program was smoothly advanced under the close coordination between the Chinese Embassy in El Salvador and the Office of Cooperation with China at the Presidential Palace of El Salvador. Counselor Xu Yuansheng emphasized that, “The training program is a fruitful result of China-Salvador friendship in the health sector, fully demonstrating China’s sincere support for the development of El Salvador’s healthcare industry. This program will serve as a new bond connecting the hearts of the two peoples, advancing the steady and far-reaching development of China-El Salvador comprehensive partnership."

All parties in El Salvador responded actively, expressing their eager anticipation and firm support for the program. Dr. Carlos Alvarenga el viceministro de Minsal pointed out that, “This training aligns with El Salvador’s strategic direction of integrating medicine for development. The introduction of TCM can promote the complementary relationship between traditional medicine and modern medicine in El Salvador, jointly improving the overall quality of the country’s healthcare services”. Dra. Mónica Ayala Guerrero said that, “As a guarantee institution of the national healthcare system, ISSS will provide solid support for the localization of TCM technology”. Lic. Daniel Quinteros stated that, “We will actively promote the integration of TCM knowledge system with El Salvador’s higher education system, laying a solid foundation for cultivating local TCM talents and ensuring the long-term sustainable development of the program”.

Trainee representative Dr. Jose Roldan expressed that, “We sincerely thank the Chinese government and Xiyuan Hospital for providing this valuable learning opportunity. The trainees are eager to master TCM characteristic techniques and bring acupuncture and moxibustion, Tuina, and other TCM therapies to the people of El Salvador, improving public health and well-being”.

It is reported that the first batch of over 30 trainees are all practicing doctors in El Salvador. The training content covers multiple dimensions, including TCM culture, theories, and techniques, aiming to incorporate TCM techniques into El Salvador’s healthcare system, expand the local medical services, and promote mutual understanding between the two peoples. Xiyuan Hospital has 15 consecutive years of experience in training over 3,000 health officials from more than 80 countries worldwide. Over the next 90 days, the expert team from Xiyuan Hospital will write a new chapter in the overseas dissemination of TCM in El Salvador.