China's Ministry of Science and Technology announced Monday that it will invest 100 million yuan (US$12.5 million) in 50 research and development programs internationally to develop traditional Chinese medical (TCM) treatments for major diseases.

Shang Yong, vice minister of Science and Technology, said new drugs would be developed for treating neuropsychosis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, tumors and AIDS.

The ministry would also create a dialogue and cooperation mechanism with the World Health Organization and other international organizations to promote global policies for traditional Chinese medical research.

Shang said an international expert committee would be established for coordinating implementation of the research and development programs.

Li Daning, vice administrator of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said Chinese scientists would play key roles in the global collaboration. Intellectual property and other rights of international partners would be fully protected.

The initiatives would boost traditional Chinese medicine and the traditional pharmaceutical industry, Li said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2006)