The 55th Zhangshu National Traditional Chinese Materia Medica Trade Fair commenced on October 16th in Zhangshu, a county-level city in Jiangxi Province, located in eastern China. This significant event attracts the participation of over 1,000 pharmaceutical and healthcare enterprises from across the country, highlighting the importance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the region. At the fair's opening ceremony, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) introduced a new international standard specifically for gardenia jasminoides, marking a milestone as it is the first TCM international standard published in Jiangxi Province.

Shen Yuandong, who chairs the ISO/TC249, a specialized technical committee within the ISO, emphasized that this international standard's implementation would expand the global trade avenues for Zhangshu's gardenia jasminoides industry. It is expected to enhance the market competitiveness and international impact of Zhangshu's TCM industry. The ten-day fair is designed to feature seven activities, encompassing business exhibitions and cultural events. On its inaugural day, approximately 14 projects were signed, with a total contract value reaching 8.58 billion yuan.

As one of the TCM industry's most historic and influential events, the trade fair stands as a crucial platform for Chinese pharmaceutical companies to exhibit their brand products, foster industry exchanges, and achieve resource integration, information exchange, business cooperation, and market development. In recent years, Zhangshu has worked to capitalize on the growth opportunities in the TCM industry, striving to convert its industrial strengths into market competitiveness. Presently, Zhangshu is home to 502 pharmaceutical enterprises, with a total traditional Chinese medicinal herbs cultivation area exceeding 500,000 mu, which is equivalent to about 33,333.33 hectares.