Since then, Lucinschi has visited Zhong in China almost every year for follow-up treatments and care. Their long-term connection has blossomed into a close friendship, with Lucinschi even including a photo of them together in his personal biography.

Zhong's journey to promote TCM internationally started in 2005, when he led a team to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to establish his first overseas TCM medical center. Since then, his network has expanded to countries including Azerbaijan, Russia, Moldova and Romania.

"Introducing TCM to the world is no easy task," Zhong said, recalling that when his team began working at the European Medical Center "UGMK-Health" in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2011, no patients came.

"Western doctors at the hospital doubted TCM, even comparing it to witchcraft," he added.

Zhong's breakthrough came when he cured Olga, the hospital's finance director, who had to use a wheelchair for work due to a neck problem. Using TCM's targeted rotation and repositioning technique, Zhong alleviated her neck pain almost immediately.

Overjoyed, Olga stood up from her wheelchair and excitedly showed off her recovery to every department in the hospital.

"Olga became a living advertisement," Zhong said. "Many people, including doctors and their families, came to seek my treatment after hearing about her recovery."

Within several months, a TCM craze swept across the Ural region, drawing business leaders, celebrities and public figures to Zhong's outpatient department.

"In the Ural region, TCM has become a fashionable way to maintain health. Some even purchase our medical services as 'health gifts' for their families," Zhong said.

Zhong attributes his success to TCM's advantages in providing tailored treatments based on patients' lifestyles. He believes TCM has great potential to address modern health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, which are often linked to poor habits.

To enhance TCM's global appeal, he suggests promoting it in a more contemporary and life-oriented way, turning it into a globally popular healthy lifestyle.

Currently, Zhong is exploring new ways to introduce TCM to children. He has launched a program to teach 20 children about TCM and herbal medicine, as well as other Chinese intangible cultural heritage, such as kung fu and dragon dancing.

"I hope to instill TCM as a healthy lifestyle in the next generation," he said.

pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn