In China, accessing healthcare often begins with a mobile app, where patients can book hospital appointments or consult with doctors remotely through platforms like WeChat or Alipay. This digital approach is part of the Chinese government’s strategy to expand healthcare services to its vast population of 1.4 billion people, addressing issues like the urban-rural healthcare gap and the need for a more robust primary care network.
China’s biotech industry is also experiencing significant growth, with more clinical trials being conducted there than in the U.S. The country now accounts for half of global drug licensing deals, as Western pharmaceutical companies invest in new medicines developed in China. A notable example is the cancer drug developed by Chinese company Akeso, which could potentially outperform Western equivalents.
China’s Health Tech Rise
Ruby Wang, a physician and consultant with experience in health tech in China and globally, has written about the tensions surrounding China’s rise in health tech in her upcoming book, “China Cure: The Rise of a Biotech, AI Medicine, and Global Health Superpower.” Wang discussed China’s health innovation and its implications for the world, highlighting the differences in how Chinese society views AI in healthcare compared to the West.
In China, AI is seen as a fundamental part of the healthcare system, driven by the need for convenience and access due to the massive population. This contrasts with the West, where technology is often added as an afterthought to existing healthcare infrastructure. Wang noted that China’s approach to digital health, while not directly exportable to the West, offers valuable lessons, particularly in how it prioritizes action over caution in developing and implementing new health technologies.
China’s biotech advancements are attributed to decades of investment in talent, infrastructure, and collaboration, including tax incentives, office space, and capital investments. The country’s large patient population, where no disease is rare, has also contributed to its success in drug development. Low running costs, cheaper labor, and a hardworking workforce further boost China’s biotech industry.
This year, China is expected to account for as much as 60% of global drug out-licensing deals, indicating a significant shift in the origin of new drugs. However, there are challenges, such as the need for Chinese biotech companies to improve their commercialization capabilities, as they often rely on Western companies like Pfizer to sell their drugs in markets like the U.S.
Western policymakers are debating the adoption of new drugs developed in China, with concerns over security and tariffs. Wang argues that medicines should not be subject to tariffs, as access to them is a human right, and that collaboration in science is essential for progress, citing the example of scientists working together across labs and publishing their findings jointly.
Competitive Advantages in Brain-Computer Interfaces
China has identified brain-computer interfaces (BCI) as a strategic industry, with its new Five-Year National Health Plan aiming for breakthroughs in this area alongside drugs, vaccines, and medical devices. China’s advantages in BCI include its electronics and hardware supply chains, engineering and manufacturing capacity, major clinical centers, AI expertise, and strong state support for moving technologies from research to clinical use.
The approval of Neuracle’s NEO system, the world’s first commercial invasive BCI medical device, in March 2026, highlights China’s capability in compressing the distance between hardware, software, clinical deployment, regulation, and manufacturing. This development puts China in a competitive position in the global BCI market, particularly in non-invasive technologies.
Wang is excited about the hardware aspect of Chinese health tech, including products designed for wellness and social care, as well as specialist equipment like ultrasound imaging machines and surgical robots. These products are not only cheaper and scalable but also relevant for developing countries, where they can significantly improve healthcare access and outcomes.
Chinese companies are producing high-quality medical equipment for use in the West, Africa, and Latin America, challenging the narrative that China’s role in global health is solely about gaining power. Instead, China’s recent history of health development and its ability to create technologies that work in rural China and similarly in Africa, offer a significant opportunity for global health improvement.
Global Implications of China’s Health Tech
The collaboration between Chinese and Western companies in the biotech sector is expected to continue, driving innovation and access to new medicines and technologies. This collaboration is essential for addressing global health challenges, particularly in areas where access to healthcare has been limited.