Primary schools in Beijing will introduce traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) cultural classes next semester, a Beijing Times news reported Monday.

A textbook on TCM has been published by the Beijing TCM Administration and Beijing Municipal Commission of Education to boost TCM culture classes in schools, the paper said.

The book will cover TCM legends and stories that are easy to comprehend for school children.

The classes will not be compulsory and there will be no tests of TCM in order to encourage carrying forward traditional culture in schools.

Compilation of the TCM textbooks for secondary schools is also underway and may be finished by next year, the paper said.