China

China

Relaxed restrictions on foreign investment in the healthcare sector

07 Sep 2024

On September 8, 2024, China released the Notice on Carrying Out Pilot Programs to Expand the Opening-up in the Healthcare Sector (关于在医疗领域开展扩大开放试点工作的通知). Under this measure, foreign investors are now permitted to establish wholly foreign-owned hospitals in nine major regions, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the entirety of Hainan Island.

Additionally, foreign-invested enterprises are allowed to engage in the development and application of technologies related to human stem cells, as well as gene diagnosis and treatment, within the pilot free-trade zones in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong, as well as the Hainan Free Trade Port. These measures took effect on 7 September 2024.