However, given that the culture and ideology of TCM is different from that of Western medicine, great innovation is required to integrate the two sciences, he said.

"In fact, many in Western medicine circles have recognized the importance of TCM, but the problem is how to prove and develop that," said Huang Jianyin, deputy secretary-general of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies.

TCM is developed through empirical testing and refinement of herbal mixtures and relies on clinical experience, and many in the West don't trust that, he said. TCM, particularly herbal products, are largely available in the US and Europe, but questions like how to prove their effectiveness in the context of Western medicine and how to best use them remain unanswered, Zang added.

Zhang Lingping, director of the international cooperation department of the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, welcomed the emerging trend.

"Their increasing interest shows Western medicine circles have begun to learn about the time-honored medical science, which originated in China," she said. Zhang said traditionally, Western medicines have been highly targeted and such a method doesn't seem to work well for complex diseases.

"They are beginning to closely look at TCM, which highlights a natural and comprehensive manner in healing," she said.

The university also had partnerships with foreign academic institutions in TCM research focusing on cancer and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

A better approach for TCM development is to enhance its dosage and stability, she said.

"It's more feasible and practical for them to improve the techniques during the TCM production, which the multinational pharmaceutical giants are better at," she said.

But that might also pose a challenge for domestic TCM industries, she acknowledged.

Of the global herbal medicine sales volume, the Chinese mainland accounted for only 2 percent, industry analyses show. Japan has the share of the market at 90 percent.

Mao Zedong once expected TCM and Chinese cuisine would be China's two major contributions to the world, said Huang. "He wouldn't have imagined the tough situation today."