Introduction: One of the fundamental elements of the Cochrane Collaboration is international participation, to find reports of RCTs in different countries, (irrespective of the language used) preparing and maintaining systematic reviews at a local and/or national level. China makes an important contribution to the world's medical research including through some traditional Chinese medicines, which appear to bring dramatic effects to some kind of diseases, Chinese involvement in the Cochrane Collaboration is very important both to the world and to China.

Methods: Since August 1996, a series of actions towards establishing a Chinese Cochrane Center have been taken in the First University Hospital, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China (one of the leading medical universities in China). Firstly, the university hospital provided the basic facilities (space, equipment, and manpower) to start the work. Secondly, the pilot work has been started in the Department of Neurology (hand-searching Chinese medical journals, setting up databank of randomized controlled trials, and sending people abroad to get training in trial methodology and conducting systematic reviews) and will extend the work to other departments soon. Thirdly, we have established international links with the Australian Cochrane Center (our reference center), the Cochrane Stroke Review Group in Edinburgh and the UK Cochrane Center to get various support and guidance. Fourthly, we have been establishing a national collaborative network and already have a directory of national collaborators. A preliminary national collaborators meeting was held in December 1996. Fifthly, a lot of effort has been nude to apply for funding and government support. Finally, a national meeting to discuss how to support and encourage Cochrane activities within China, possibly leading to the establishment of a Chinese Cochrane Center will take place in August 1997.