Bryan Anker, a University of California student, practices acupuncture guided by doctor Du Chunqing in Linfen, Shanxi. [Photo/Xinhua]

Students around the world are learning the secrets of traditional Chinese medicine as this form of treatment gains increasing popularity.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping presented a bronze statue highlighting the acupuncture points on the human body to the World Health Organization in Geneva last month, it drew global attention.

But Malaysian Pauline Moy was already familiar with the figure.

A student at the International School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, she used a replica to help her memorize the pressure points and practice the techniques.

Formerly an actor, Moy came to the university in 2011 to explore the mystery of "how a needle can relieve pain and cure disease". She took the undergraduate course in acupuncture, moxibustion and tuina, or therapeutic massage used in TCM.

Now she is pursuing a master's degree in traditional Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture is just one component of TCM, she says. To better understand the essence of acupuncture, she has read ancient texts written in classical Chinese, the biggest challenge of her studies.