As one of China’s main production areas for genuine medicinal materials, Chongqing, with its unique ecological resources in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, Wuling Mountains, and Qinba Mountains, has nurtured an extremely rich treasure trove of traditional Chinese medicine resources. It was learned from a press conference that Chongqing will build a number of fully traceable Coptis GAP bases, create health “hit products” represented by Coptis toothpaste, and construct a digital trading platform centered around the “China Coptis Market,” aiming to achieve a total industrial chain output value exceeding 3 billion yuan.

Currently, the cultivation area of Coptis in Chongqing is nearly 100,000 mu, with output accounting for about 60% of national demand. Chongqing’s Shizhu is known as the “Hometown of Chinese Coptis,” and its locally grown Coptis is renowned nationwide for its genuine quality, forming a complete industrial chain from planting to processing, from “field to tongue.”

In terms of planting base construction, Chongqing promotes standardized ecological cultivation of Coptis, extends green comprehensive pest control, substitutes organic fertilizers for chemical fertilizers, and advances the entire production process according to standardized practices, successfully establishing the “China High-Quality Chinese Medicinal Materials Coptis Demonstration Base.”

In product development and processing, Chongqing has developed a tiered product system for the entire industrial chain, achieving full resource utilization of Coptis. Using flowers as raw material, local specialty foods such as Coptis flower tea and Coptis flower dishes have been developed; using rhizomes as raw material, a series of Chinese patent medicines have been created; using fibrous roots as raw material, Chinese veterinary medicines have been produced; and using extracts as raw material, daily chemical products like Coptis toothpaste and Coptis soap have been developed.

In brand cultivation and enhancement, Chongqing focuses on building the “Shizhu Coptis” regional public brand, successfully constructing a triple value system of “geographical indication + agricultural cultural heritage + top 100 national brands.” “Shizhu Coptis” has been selected into the list of the top 100 national regional public brands for Chinese medicinal materials.

In cultivating business entities, Chongqing vigorously promotes the “leading enterprise + cooperative + farmer” model, has introduced and cultivated 10 leading enterprises, developed 25 specialized cooperatives, and over 320 large-scale planting households, establishing an industrial management system led by leading enterprises with broad participation from multiple entities. This forms an interconnected development pattern of “division of labor and collaboration, joint base construction, market sharing, and risk sharing,” effectively enhancing the resilience of the industrial chain and continuously driving stable income growth for farmers.

In building the market system, Chongqing continues to increase support for the construction of the “China Coptis Trading Market” located in Huangshui Town, Shizhu, strengthens long-term stable strategic supply and demand relationships with leading domestic Chinese medicine enterprises, actively promotes the export of Shizhu Coptis, and aims to build it into a more dynamic national Coptis distribution center. In recent years, the annual transaction volume of this market has exceeded 1 billion yuan, fostering a new “trinity” development pattern for the Coptis market of “core market stability,畅通 high-end channels, and international market expansion.”

Today, Shizhu Coptis has become a golden name card for Chongqing’s Chinese medicinal materials industry. To further promote the high-quality development of the Coptis industry, Chongqing will host the “China · Chongqing Coptis Industry High-Quality Development Conference” in Huangshui Town, Shizhu County, on August 28-29, striving to build a Coptis industry highland with Chongqing’s distinct identity and national influence.

Three Gorges Reservoir area

The Three Gorges Reservoir area is a vast region on the Yangtze River in China, created by the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station. Its history is defined by a massive, government-led relocation project that submerged numerous towns, villages, and archaeological sites to control flooding and generate hydroelectric power. The reservoir’s creation fundamentally reshaped the local landscape and displaced over a million people.

Wuling Mountains

The Wuling Mountains are a scenic mountain range in south-central China, historically significant as the home of the ancient Ba people and a region that resisted direct imperial control. Today, the area is renowned for its dramatic karst landscapes, deep gorges, and rich biodiversity, including the Wulingyuan UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Qinba Mountains

The Qinba Mountains are a major mountain range in central China, spanning the border between Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, which historically served as a natural boundary between northern and southern China. The range is ecologically significant as a biodiversity hotspot and is the home of the famous Crested Ibis. It is also culturally important as the mountainous region where the ancient state of Shu, a rival to the Qin, was located.

China Coptis Market

The China Coptis Market, located in Shizhu County, Chongqing, is the largest distribution hub for coptis chinensis, a fundamental herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its history is deeply intertwined with local cultivation that dates back over 300 years, establishing the region as the nation’s premier source for this valuable medicinal root. The market itself serves as a vital center for trade, pricing, and quality assessment for this important commodity.

China High-Quality Chinese Medicinal Materials Coptis Demonstration Base

The China High-Quality Chinese Medicinal Materials Coptis Demonstration Base is a modern agricultural and research site dedicated to the standardized cultivation of Coptis chinensis (huánglián), a fundamental herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It was established to ensure the production of high-quality, sustainable, and traceable medicinal materials by implementing advanced growing techniques. This base represents a key initiative in China’s efforts to preserve and modernize its herbal medicine heritage for clinical use and global markets.

Shizhu Coptis

Shizhu Coptis refers to a high-quality variety of Coptis chinensis, a medicinal herb, cultivated for centuries in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County, China. Its history is deeply tied to the region’s unique climate and soil, which are ideal for growing this “golden thread” herb known in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This local specialty has become a significant part of the area’s agricultural economy and cultural heritage.

China Coptis Trading Market

The China Coptis Trading Market is a specialized commodity market in Shizhu County, Chongqing, which has become the national distribution hub for coptis chinensis, a fundamental herb in traditional Chinese medicine. Its history is tied to the region’s centuries-old cultivation of the plant, and it was formally established to regulate and centralize trade of this valuable medicinal resource. The market now sets national price benchmarks and plays a vital role in the supply chain for TCM pharmacies and manufacturers.

China · Chongqing Coptis Industry High-Quality Development Conference

The Chongqing Coptis Industry High-Quality Development Conference is a modern event focused on the sustainable advancement of the coptis (huanglian) farming industry in Chongqing. This region has a long history of cultivating this important medicinal herb, which is a staple in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The conference serves as a platform to discuss innovation, economic development, and the future of this traditional agricultural sector.