China's Medical Tourism Surges as Hospitals Serve More International Patients

GENEVA, Sept. 18, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- China's healthcare sector is experiencing a significant surge in international medical tourism, according to a presentation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2026. Dr. John K. Hsiang, Chairman of Jiahui Health's Executive Committee, highlighted the growing momentum in inbound medical tourism during a session titled "Health Without Borders."

He noted that China's leading hospitals serving international patients recorded 1.28 million international patient visits in 2025, a 73.6% increase from three years prior. Of these, 413,000 visits were made by patients who traveled to China specifically for medical care.

Jiahui Health, a prominent player in the sector, saw a significant rise in international patient inquiries. In the first half of 2026, overseas patient inquiries nearly doubled year on year. The growth in medical tourism is being driven by policy reforms and China's accelerating medical innovation. Currently, citizens of 57 countries are eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy through 65 ports, making it easier for international patients to enter the country.

China's role in global medical innovation is also a key factor. The country now accounts for 33.7% of drugs in global development. In June 2026, China approved the world's first CAR-T therapy for a solid tumor, attracting international patients seeking access to this new treatment. Recent cases illustrate this trend. A New Zealand patient with advanced gastric cancer traveled to Shanghai shortly after the therapy's approval and became its first international recipient. In another case, a U.S. patient with non-small cell lung cancer came to Jiahui to receive ivonescimab, an innovative bispecific antibody currently available only in China, following discussions with his physician at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Hsiang emphasized Shanghai's role as a gateway connecting Chinese medical innovation with global patients. Jiahui Health recorded more than 100,000 international outpatient visits in 2025 and has developed cross-border capabilities, including international insurance direct billing, remote consultation, and multilingual patient coordination.

Looking ahead, Dr. Hsiang called for greater international cooperation on medical travel and visa facilitation, access to information on medical innovation, and regulatory dialogue around cross-border health data and telemedicine.