The China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences on December 18 established a research center for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) resources.

Research results are expected to help the government and TCM industry insiders have a better understanding of the country's herbal resources.

Wang Guoqiang, Vice Minister of Health and Director of the State Administration of TCM, said at the center's inauguration that herbal resources have become increasingly scarce in China due to profit-driven over-exploitation.

Wang identified a lack of overall planning in exploitation and protection, which should be based on scientific research and survey, as an outstanding problem for the development of TCM.

China conducted a nationwide survey of herbal resources in 2011, which covered their distribution, production and natural environment.