BEIJING, Oct. 26 -- China has unveiled a guideline to promote the preservation and innovative development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Boosting the development of TCM is of great significance to uphold the principle of placing equal emphasis on traditional Chinese and Western medicines, and to develop a model of health with Chinese characteristics, featuring the complementary and coordinated development of TCM and Western medicine, according to the guideline released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

The document stressed efforts to improve the service system of TCM, give full play to its unique strength in maintaining and promoting people's health, improve the quality of TCM, and boost the high-quality development of the industry.

Meanwhile, it also outlined measures to strengthen the competence of TCM personnel, encourage the preservation and innovation of the traditional medicine, as well as reform and improve the TCM management system.