The success of acupuncture anesthesia (AA) for pneumonectomy in Shanghai in 1960 was a key event for AA gaining practical clinical application. The effort was a close colaboration between the Shanghai First Tuberculosis Hospital and the Shangha i Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. One of the most important factors of AA success was the great fi nancial and political support provided by the C hinese central govment and S hanghai local govment. In December1965 the S tate Science and Technology Commission of China issued a formal document acknowledging AA as an important fi rst-level n ational achievement of the integration of Chinese and West medicine, and a colaborative effort of the whole scientifi c community in China. AA was an important infl uential factor that helped acupuncture spread across the world.