China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (CAAM) directed by both China Association of Science and Tecnology and State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a nation-wide non-govermental academic organization consisting of medical doctors and scientific researchers who are engaged in acupuncture science. With the approval of Minestery of Civil Affairs, the People`s Republic of China, it is not the only corporate body, but also the first-class national association. The administrative organ of CAAM is attached to China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion was founded in May 1979, it as the second-class association was affiliated to Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In 1985, after approval of State Commission for Structural Reforms, it became the first-class national association.

The first council of CAAM from 1979 – 1985, Lu Zhijun, the president of CAAM.

The second council of CAAM from 1985 – 1997, Hu Ximing, the president of CAAM

The third council of CAAM from 1997 – today:

            President: Hu Ximing

            Honorary President: Lu Zhijun

            Senior Advisors: Wang Xuetai, Cheng Xinnong, He Puren

Vice Presidents: Cao Xiaoding, Chen Hanping, Chen Shaowu, Chen Youbang,  Deng Liangyue, Liu baoyan, Li Weiheng, Shi Xuemin and Yang Baoqin (names in alphabetical order).

Objectives

The objectives of China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion are to unite medical and scientific workers in the field of acupuncture science throughout the country, to promote the prosperity, development, popularization and enhancement for acupuncture medicine; to accelerate the growth of qualified acupuncture professionals to serve the health for mankind, to adhere to the principle of democracy in running association and fully develop a democratic style of work; to stick to both inheritance and development, to insist on scientific attitude of uniting theory with practice and seeking truth from facts; to carry forward the practice of “respecting knowledge and respecting talents”, thereby serving spiritual civilization, social civilization and social prosperity in China as well as the health of people in the world.

Scope of Business

1. Carry out academic activities on traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture medicine at home and aboard, organize the key scientific research projects, conduct the activities of scientific investigation, and strengthen connection and cooperation of disciplines and academic groups.
2. Edit and publish acupuncture books, periodicals, literatures and audiovisual products.
3. Develop education of medical science and technology, foster talents, popularize acupuncture academic results and keep on enhancing professional level of acupuncture workers.
4. Launch popular science activities of acupuncture clinic and acupuncture medicine.
5. Organize members to take part in expounding and providing scientific and technological decision, formulating laws and regulations, and providing proposals for policy; accept the entrustments to undertake the following tasks: the assessment of acupuncture scientific and technological projects, the appraisal of achievements, examination and appraisal of qualification for technical titles, editing and examining acupuncture literature and standards, and providing technical consulting service.
6. Carry out the development, appraisal, and supervisory manufacture of acupuncture apparatus and popularization and application of acupuncture apparatus.
7. Grant award to excellent scientific and technological results, academic papers, popular science books as well as members and workers with the excellent achievements in the association.
8. Conduct friendly excahges with acupuncture groups, organizations and sholars in various countries of the world, and promote international exchanges and cooperation for acupuncture medicine.

The Subordinate Academic Committees

There are ten special committees under CAAM, including clinic, meridian system, experimental acupuncture, needling methods and moxibustion methods, acupuncture anesthesia, acupuncture point, acupuncture literature, auricular points therapy, acupuncture apparatus and acupoint-pressing therapy. CAAM also set up its subsidiary acupuncture associations in 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

Publications

The monthy magazine of “China Acupuncture” and quarterly journal of “Acupuncture Research”, sponsored by CAAM, are distributed at home and aboard. In addition, “Acupuncture Newsletter” as a restricted publication is edited and published.

Membership

CAAM has more than 14,000 members in China and more than 100 members in forein countries, such as USA, Germany, UK, Japan, Korea, Spain, Norway, Costa Rica, Greece, Denmark, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, Iran, and Canada.

Administrative Body

The working organs of CAAM is composed of office, academic department, advisory and training department and editorial department. The full-time personnel undertake routine responsibilities.

Academic Activities

Organizing academic activities is the focal point of work for CAAM. Since the establishment of CAAM, over 10 national academic symposiums take place each year. CAAM has successfully organized international symposiums with important influence, for example, the First and Second Acupuncture Anesthesia Symposiums were held in Beijing in 1979 and 1984, with more than 1000 Chinese and foreign scholars attending the symposium. In 1987, the founding of World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and the First World Conference on Acupuncture, sponsored by CAAM, was held in Beijing. Over 1500 scholars attended the conference including more than 500 foreign scholars. In 1988, International Symposium on Diagnosis and Treatment of Auricular Points was hend in Beijing, with over 200 Chinese and foreign scholars attending. In 1989 and 1991, entrusted by World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies, International Symposium on Acupuncture Education and International Symposium on Techniques of Acupuncture and Moxibustion were conducted in Beijing. At International Symposium on Techniques of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, more than 40 experts, recommended by CAAM, demonstrated their special skills on the spot, which won the acclaim of Chinese and foreign scholars. In 1997, CAAM hosted the Fourth General Assembly of WFAS and celebration of 10^th anniversary of WFAS, with over 1600 Chinese and foreign delegates attending the conference. CAAM has organized large delegations to attend all past WFAS General Assemblies and World Conferences on Acupuncture, thereby strengthening contact and exchange with academic groups in other countries. Meanwhile, CAAM took part in preparing two large-sized International Conferences on Traditional Medicine held in Beijing. The above-mentioned activities demonstrate organizing ability of CAAM and achievements made in the fields of scientific research, education and medical treatment.

Carry out Education to Cultivate Talents

CAAM has an abundance of capable people and solid technical force. CAAM and its subordinate associations often conduct training courses and give lectures on special topic at different levels to enhance technical level of professionals and renew their knowledge. More than 1000 Chinese persons and several dozens of foreigners receive training every year.