Over the past five years, the Chinese mainland has built the world’s largest healthcare system, covering over 95% of its population with basic medical insurance and driving rapid medical tech innovation.
From Brain-Computer Interfaces to Better Lives
In early 2025, researchers on the Chinese mainland crossed a historic threshold in neuro-technology: the first prospective clinical trial of an invasive brain-computer interface (BCI). A participant who had lost all four limbs in a high-voltage accident received a surgically implanted BCI device. After just two weeks of adaptive training, he was able to type, send messages and play computer games with speed and accuracy matching a laptop touchpad.
“This trial sends a clear message to the global community. Chinese teams possess end-to-end capabilities, from core R&D all the way to clinical application,” says Zhao Zhengtuo, research fellow at the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Policy Boost and Market Momentum
Capitalizing on this momentum, six central agencies — including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Development and Reform Commission — rolled out a comprehensive guideline in August 2025. Phased targets for 2027 and 2030 aim to accelerate breakthroughs in BCI hardware, system integration and real-world applications.
Industry analysts forecast that the BCI market on the Chinese mainland will exceed 6 billion yuan ($835 million) by 2028, as clinical indications expand.
“BCI technology is poised to restore partial function for patients with blindness or aphasia and to offer new therapies for Parkinson’s, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, depression and autism. Each breakthrough brings new hope,” explains Jiang Xiaobing, chief of neurosurgery at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
What’s Next?
From surgical robots to AI-driven diagnostics, the Chinese mainland’s medical tech ecosystem is translating cutting-edge science into real-world impact. As these innovations mature, they promise to reshape global standards in patient care and unlock new therapeutic possibilities across the world.
Reference(s):
How China's medical tech innovations unlock new possibilities for life
cgtn.com
