Hainan’s Medical Pilot Zone Takes Center Stage
Earlier this month, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Innovation and Development Roundtable convened leading voices in healthcare and policy. As the Chinese mainland’s Hainan province deepens its special customs operations, Boao Lecheng has emerged as a unique international medical pilot zone, designed to accelerate cross-border collaboration in biomedicine, digital health and patient care.
Global Experts Weigh In
In a series of in-depth exchanges, CGTN reporter Xing Ruinan sat down with three distinguished experts from Singapore, the Russian Federation and Spain. Their insights illuminated the untapped potential of cross-border medical cooperation in three key areas: patient mobility, talent development and medical tourism.
Unlocking Cross-Border Care
The expert from Singapore highlighted how a regulatory sandbox in Boao Lecheng is streamlining approval processes for imported medicines and cutting-edge therapies. This approach could shorten treatment timelines by weeks, making advanced care more accessible to patients across Asia and beyond.
Building the Next-Gen Medical Workforce
The specialist from the Russian Federation emphasized joint training programs between local hospitals and top research institutes. By 2025, Hainan aims to host more than 1000 international medical fellows annually, fostering a talent pipeline for emerging fields like gene therapy and precision medicine.
Leveraging Medical Tourism
Drawing on Spain’s success in combining healthcare with cultural experiences, the expert from Spain outlined strategies to package medical treatments with eco-tourism and wellness retreats. Hainan’s tropical climate and improved visa policies could attract tens of thousands of visitors seeking specialized procedures and holistic recovery.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 draws to a close, stakeholders are already mapping out roadmaps for 2026. Plans include expanding telemedicine networks, launching joint incubators for biotech startups and hosting the first Hainan Healthtech Summit. With its pilot zone status, Boao Lecheng is poised to become a global hub for medical innovation and cross-border cooperation.
Reference(s):
Watch: Boao Lecheng Intl Medical Innovation and Development Roundtable
cgtn.com
