How traditional Chinese medicine is shaping Kazakhstan’s health system

China has pledged to expand its health partnership with Kazakhstan by helping the Central Asian nation integrate traditional medicine directly into its national healthcare system, shifting away from simple product exports.The Chinese embassy in Kazakhstan on Monday called for the alignment of high-level policy to enhance bilateral health cooperation for both countries’ benefit.“Both nations should promote the qualitative upgrading of cooperation in smart healthcare, hi-tech diagnostics and treatment, the pharmaceutical industry and public health … extending the lifespans of their peoples for generations to come,” said Cheng Kefan, the embassy’s interim charge d’affaires, at a medical seminar organised by the GX Foundation in Astana.The move represents just the latest policy partnership between Beijing and Astana. Kazakhstan was the first country to endorse the Belt and Road Initiative following the China-centred trading network’s announcement in 2013.