Interview with Dr. Shaoming Yang, the Royal Physician of the Dubai Royal Family
A True Healer: Devoted to Saving Lives and Advancing Medicine
A healer’s duty is to cure diseases and save lives; a great doctor not only excels in medical skills but continuously innovates. However, a truly exceptional doctor also promotes medical knowledge and benefits patients worldwide. The famous medical sage Zhang Zhongjing once said,
“If one cannot govern a nation, they should strive to heal the people. If not a great statesman, one must be a great physician.”
Dr. Shaoming Yang embodies this spirit of a medical sage, as he is not only a master of exceptional medical skills but also committed to spreading the knowledge and cultural essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) worldwide.
For the Western world, Chinese medicine often appears as mysterious and intriguing as Mona Lisa’s smile—enigmatic yet fascinating. Dr. Shaoming Yang, with his noble medical ethics and extraordinary skills, has provided the perfect interpretation of this Chinese “Mona Lisa’s smile”, unveiling the endless charm of TCM and the profound wisdom of Chinese civilization. His skills have impressed and earned respect from experts in the U.S., scholars in the U.K., and even the rulers of the UAE.
This medical legend has prompted curiosity worldwide:
“Who is this Chinese doctor capable of curing diseases that American, British, German, and other international experts failed to treat?”
Dr. Yang’s Groundbreaking Achievements
Among his many accolades, three “firsts” stand out:
- The first Chinese doctor to become the personal physician to the ruler of the United Arab Emirates.
- The first Chinese doctor to diagnose and treat Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
- The first Chinese physician to introduce herbal injections to foreign countries.
These milestones best illustrate Dr. Yang’s dedication to spreading Chinese medical culture and upholding the spirit of medicine. Over seventeen years of international practice, he has gained recognition from world leaders and international dignitaries in the UAE, the U.K., France, Tanzania, and many other nations. With an unwavering commitment to his mission, he lives by the words:
“Do not waste your youth in vain; time lost is regret eternal.”
Fulfilling His Mission: Combining Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Born into a prestigious medical family, Dr. Yang’s ancestors, father, and brother were all renowned physicians. In 1983, he was admitted to Tongji Medical University, majoring in Western preventive medicine, marking the beginning of his medical career.
During a physical education class, he was introduced to Baduanjin Qigong, a traditional health exercise dating back to the 12th century, famously practiced by Premier Zhou Enlai in his later years. The graceful yet powerful movements of Baduanjin captivated young Yang, igniting his lifelong passion for Qigong.
An Early Passion for Medicine and Qigong
His fascination led him to become the youngest director of the Tongji Medical University Qigong Research Association.
“At the time, I was the only student in the association—all the other members were professors.”
This experience allowed him to study under 25 folk masters, learning Qigong and traditional healing methods, deepening his understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s (TCM) vast wisdom.
An eye-opening moment came when he read an article in Reference News about a Japanese delegation claiming Japan’s traditional medicine would surpass China’s within five years.
This bold claim profoundly shocked him, as he could not accept that TCM might be overshadowed and rebranded as “Oriental Medicine.” At that moment, he felt an immense responsibility to preserve, develop, and promote TCM—not just as a medical student, but as a proud Chinese doctor.
Mastering Both Eastern and Western Medicine
From that moment forward, Dr. Yang simultaneously pursued both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Despite an already demanding 80-hour-per-semester curriculum, he devoted his free time to self-studying TCM, acupuncture, and Qigong.
His dedication paid off—by his sophomore year, he achieved several milestones:
- His paper “Dissipative Structures and Qigong Exercise” was accepted at Tongji Medical University’s Applied Science Conference, making him the only student invited to give an academic lecture.
- He published “The Effect of Qigong on Autonomic Cells” in the journal Science and Qigong, becoming the first student at his university to publish a paper in a national journal.
- During clinical rotations, he trained under top acupuncture specialists, further refining his skills in treating complex diseases.
After graduation, Dr. Yang secured a prestigious position at Hubei Liyuan Hospital, the official medical institution for senior provincial government officials.
When asked by the hospital director why a preventive medicine major wanted to pursue clinical practice, his response was simple yet profound:
“Because I love treating patients.”
Refining His Skills: Mastering “Observational Diagnosis”
An Encounter with an Elderly Patient in Rural China
In 1990, Dr. Yang participated in a disaster relief medical mission in Luotian County, Hubei Province. During his service, an elderly patient approached him but refused to describe his symptoms, saying:
“You are doctors from the provincial capital. If you’re truly skilled, just diagnose me by looking.”
This moment changed Dr. Yang’s perspective forever.
He immediately recalled the four diagnostic methods in TCM: “Observation, Listening, Inquiry, and Palpation.”
According to Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues):
- “To diagnose by sight alone is divine.”
- “To diagnose by sound is mastery.”
- “To diagnose through questioning is skilled.”
- “To diagnose by pulse is craftsmanship.”
This realization sparked his journey into “Observational Diagnosis”, a skill he would later refine into a unique ability to diagnose through Qi perception alone.
Advancing His Career: Becoming a Global Leader in TCM
From 1992 onward, Dr. Yang took on leadership roles in multiple medical associations, including:
- Executive Director of the Yuanji Qigong Research Association of Hubei Province
- Chairman of the Emei Qigong Research Association of Hubei Province
He also underwent intensive Daoist internal alchemy training, studied Tibetan medical Qigong, and published numerous research papers, including:
- “Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly”
- “Principles of Yuanji Nutritional Science”
- “Acupuncture Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis”
- “The Epidemiology of Qigong’s Healing Effects”
His pioneering research earned numerous awards, solidifying his status as a world-renowned expert in both Eastern and Western medicine.
A True Master of Global Medicine
From saving lives in Dubai’s royal family to bridging Eastern and Western medical traditions, Dr. Shaoming Yang has paved the way for the globalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
His work is not just about medicine—it’s a mission to preserve, innovate, and spread the timeless wisdom of Chinese healing arts worldwide.
