An ultra-high-speed micro dripping pill production system, the first of its kind in the world, operating in a shop of TCM product developer Tasly Pharmaceutical in Tianjian on May 10, 2020. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

NPC deputy Du Yan'an, mayor of Bozhou, East China's Anhui province, also spotted positive signs for TCM's internalization amid the huge crisis posed by the pandemic.

Home to ancient legendary doctor Hua Tuo, Bozhou boasts rich TCM resources, making it the country's largest TCM production base and trading hub. "The first quarter of 2020 saw the exports of TCM raw materials and patented TCM drugs swell to 230 million yuan ($32.2 million) from Anhui province, a 15.7 percent year-on-year spike," Du said.

As TCM is gaining ground overseas, Du called for more measures to speed up TCM's globalization.