Xinhua News Agency reports China is making preparations to apply for World Intangible Heritage status for traditional Chinese medicine.

The report cites a news spokesman from the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The spokesman says China began making preparations for application in 2003. China will formally apply for it when the UN accepts and handles the project.

The spokesman added herbs with over 3,000 years of history have spread to more than 120 countries and regions. In addition, China will cooperate with foreign countries on difficult and complicated problems, including tumors and AIDS, and develop more Chinese medicine and establish clinical study centers with international influence 
 
(CRI.com November 2, 2006)