A source with the SATCM said, "The idea of abolishing traditional Chinese medicine is a denial of science." Zhang Gongyao, a professor with Central South University, recently launched an online petition calling for the removal of traditional Chinese medicine from the country's healthcare system.

Some Internet writers said they support the move. However, many more people wrote to oppose the petition.

Yang Yonghua, a professor with the Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said traditional Chinese medicine is undeniably a mainstream medical treatment method in China. He noted that 50 percent of patients suffering terminal stage cancer opt for TCM treatments.

A Ministry of Health official said at a recent press conference that "traditional Chinese medicine is an essential component of China's medical care sector." Referring to the petition, the SATCM source said people who denied the historical achievements, current function and scientific basis of traditional Chinese medicine were clearly ignorant of history. "Thousands of years of practice demonstrate that people are fond of and deeply trust traditional Chinese medicine."