Rooting and Thriving: Localisation of Chinese Medicine in Singapore

The prominence of TCM charitable clinics, the Malayanisation of Chinese medicine, Singapore’s integration of Chinese and Western medicine, and regulatory changes such as the lifting of restrictions on berberine sales and use, among other key developments, show how Chinese medicine in Singapore has evolved and become localised over time. These developments have shaped trajectories distinct from those in China, reflected in institutional structures, schools of thought, clinical practices, material culture, and other aspects. Rather than being static or monolithic, Chinese medicine develops within specific historical and social contexts. Using Singapore as a case study, this talk highlights the plurality of Chinese medicine and its continual innovation in the contemporary world.

Speaker

Dr Yang Yan

Senior Research Fellow, Department of Chinese Studies, NUS

Deputy Director, Wan Boo Sow Research Centre, NUS

Dr Yang Yan is a Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Chinese Studies. Her work focuses on the history of Chinese medicine in Southeast Asia and overseas Chinese banking in Singapore and Malaya. Her latest monograph, The Making of Modern Chinese Medicine in Singapore (1867–2013), explores the roles of state and professional bodies. She currently leads a research project funded by National Heritage Board, titled In Their Own Ways: Identification and Documentation of Singapore’s Chinese Medicine.

Moderator

Professor Wong Sin Kiong

Department of Chinese Studies,

National University of Singapore