China medical tourism grows as international patient visits rise 73.6%

China is experiencing significant growth in medical tourism, driven by medical innovation and visa policy reforms. At the 2026 WTO Public Forum, Dr. John K. Hsiang, Executive Committee Chairman of Jiahui Health, reported that leading Chinese hospitals serving international patients recorded 1.28 million visits in 2025, a 73.6% increase compared to three years ago.

Of these visits, 413,000 were specifically for medical treatment. Jiahui Health noted that international patient demand at its facilities nearly doubled in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. This trend is supported by China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, which is available to citizens of 57 countries across 65 ports.

Technological advancements are a primary driver of this influx. China accounts for 33.7% of global drug development activities and recently approved the world's first CAR-T therapy for a solid tumor in June 2026. Notable cases include a New Zealander who traveled to Shanghai for advanced gastric cancer treatment and a U.S. patient seeking bispecific antibodies currently available only in China.