In a significant move to open up its healthcare sector, China announced plans to allow the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in select cities and regions across the country. According to an official document released on Sunday, these hospitals will be permitted in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and throughout the island of Hainan.
The circular, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), the National Health Commission, and the National Medical Products Administration, marks a strategic effort to attract foreign investment and expertise into China's burgeoning healthcare industry. The specific conditions, requirements, and procedures for setting up these hospitals will be detailed in forthcoming guidelines.
The initiative also extends to allowing foreign-invested enterprises to engage in the development and application of advanced medical technologies, including human stem cells and gene diagnosis and treatment. This applies within the pilot free-trade zones in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong Province, as well as the Hainan Free Trade Port. These enterprises will be permitted to register, launch, and produce relevant medical products, provided they comply with China's stringent laws and regulations on human genetic resource management, drug clinical trials, drug registration, production, and ethical review.
Local authorities have been urged to enhance their engagement with interested foreign enterprises, streamline communication between governmental bodies, and strengthen oversight of pilot enterprises to promptly identify and mitigate potential risks.
"China will further promote the opening up of the service industry and increase the openness and innovation efforts in emerging fields such as telecom value-added services, healthcare, digital economy, culture and tourism, transportation, commercial aerospace, and fashion consumption," said Meng Huating, deputy head of the foreign investment department at the MOC. "China will also ensure that foreign-invested enterprises receive national treatment in terms of access to key factors, qualification licensing, standard setting, and government procurement."
This development is poised to create new opportunities for global healthcare providers and investors, fostering increased collaboration and innovation within China's healthcare sector. By welcoming foreign expertise and investment, China aims to enhance the quality and accessibility of medical services for its population, while also contributing to the global advancement of medical science and technology.
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China to allow wholly foreign-owned hospitals in certain areas
cgtn.com
