Fujian, China – Participants from Egypt in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seminar continued their programme in China with a visit to Yunnan Baiyao, the country’s flagship traditional medicine and pharmaceutical company, headquartered in Kunming. The visit came after the group had earlier toured shipbuilding facilities in Fujian province as part of their wider exposure to China’s economic and industrial development.
During their time at Yunnan Baiyao, the delegation was introduced to the company’s century-long history. Founded in 1902, Yunnan Baiyao started as a traditional herbal remedy renowned for its ability to stop bleeding and treat trauma. Over the decades, it has evolved into a diversified healthcare group, combining traditional Chinese medicine with modern pharmaceutical practices. Today, the company is a household name in China, with a wide range of products including topical powders, capsules, plasters, toothpaste, and other consumer health goods.
Company representatives briefed the Egyptian participants on Yunnan Baiyao’s research and development capabilities, state-of-the-art production lines, and quality assurance standards. The delegation also learned about the company’s efforts to integrate modern scientific validation with traditional medicine, a strategy that has helped it maintain both cultural heritage and international competitiveness. Yunnan Baiyao’s formula remains a closely guarded state secret, officially protected under Chinese law as a “national Chinese medicine secret variety.”
The Egyptian visitors were particularly informed about the company’s global reputation for its hemostatic and wound-healing products, which have been the subject of clinical studies confirming their effectiveness in reducing surgical blood loss and accelerating recovery. They also explored how Yunnan Baiyao has expanded beyond pharmaceuticals into broader healthcare and wellness sectors, including personal care and preventive medicine.
The visit to Yunnan Baiyao was part of the BRI seminar’s objective to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of China’s economic strengths across different sectors. While the earlier stop in Fujian showcased the country’s advancements in maritime manufacturing and shipbuilding, the Kunming leg highlighted China’s achievements in healthcare innovation and the pharmaceutical industry.
Organisers noted that such visits enable participants to gain first-hand knowledge of how China balances industrial modernisation with cultural heritage in its development model. For the Egyptian delegation, the experience broadened perspectives on how traditional knowledge can be integrated with contemporary science to create globally competitive products.
The seminar continues to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and practical exposure to key sectors that underpin China’s role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Through its mix of field visits and academic sessions, the programme allows participants to observe the diversity of China’s economic landscape — from shipyards in Fujian to pharmaceutical laboratories in Yunnan — offering valuable insights that can inform future engagement within the BRI framework.
