Medical services to get booster shot at intl trade fair

International trade and cooperation in medical services are set to be bolstered by greater numbers of projects in the fields of chronic disease management, assisted reproduction, medical tourism and insurance, according to experts.

During the forthcoming fifth China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services, medical institutes from home and abroad will showcase their cross-border programs, products and new technologies at three forums and exhibition booths.

This year's event, held at China National Convention Center in Beijing from May 28 to June 1, will focus on upcoming projects rather than theoretical discussion, according to Miao Hua, public relations manager at Ciming Health Checkup Management Group, co-organizer of the medical services section at CIFTIS.

The Ciming Hainan Boao International Hospital, which opened in November 2017, will feature strongly at the expo. The hospital has invited doctors and medical researchers from around the world to assist Chinese patients seeking reproductive assistance, anti-neoplastic drugs and chronic disease management.

A Chinese recuperation tourism industry alliance is expected to be announced during CIFTIS, as a result of joint efforts from enterprises specializing in the fields of medicine, culture, tourism, sports, real estate and finance.

Chinese Medical Doctor Association announced that it will establish an international reproduction assistance service platform that will use the latest innovative technologies to allow more couples to have children.

Besides importing medical services, the event also aims to bring Chinese medical services to overseas markets, especially countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, said Hu Bo, chairman of Ciming.

"Traditional overseas medical services from China were often short-term. For instance, we have sent doctors to help some patients in Africa and called them back after a few days or weeks," he said. "But what we want to do now is to establish a long-term cooperation in medical services that is good for mutual profit.

Chinese medical brands will have the chance to gain international exposure at the event, Hu added.

Carrying a theme of "openness, innovation and integration", the fifth CIFTIS is also aimed at bridging demands with service providers, and facilitating the further opening-up of China's service industry.

Co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Beijing since 2012, the annual event provides a platform to display products, release policies and establish industrial networking.

Besides medical health services, CIFTIS also showcases science and technology, internet and information, cultural education, financial, tourism and sports services.