Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HAIKOU, July 5 (Xinhua) — Located in the coastal town of Boao in south China’s Hainan Province, the Boao Lecheng International Health Tourism Pilot Zone is fast becoming a leading healthcare and innovation hub in China, attracting increasing attention from around the world.
The pilot zone, which is considered the only special medical service zone in China, hosts more than 30 leading domestic and foreign medical institutions. With special policy support, the pilot zone has introduced 485 advanced drugs and medical devices that have been approved abroad but have not yet entered the domestic market, benefiting more than 130,000 patients.
Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka, suffering from growing tumors on his chest and back that were hampering his ability to work, decided to have surgery during a four-day recuperation trip to the pilot zone.
“In Canada it’s more expensive and it takes time to get an appointment for the surgery. And since I was here, I decided to give it a try and I was very happy, I think it went very well,” he said.
Mark Batka is just one of many foreign visitors who have taken advantage of the medical services at the pilot zone, which offers a world-class package of services, from premium medical check-ups and a combination of traditional Chinese and Western treatments to cultural experiences such as incense tasting, tea ceremonies and calligraphy.
Boao Yiling Life Support Center, a leading provider of comprehensive medical services in the pilot zone, provides a wide range of services such as health care, disease prevention, specific therapies, rehabilitation and mental health.
Janet Wong, who went on a Canadian wellness tour with Mark Batka, said she was impressed by the high-quality medical check-up she received at the centre.
“We were so surprised from the very beginning when we arrived,” she said, adding that the treatment was excellent and the medical examination incredibly thorough.
“In a way, it really does feel like a vacation,” said Stephanie Wing See Yau, another member of the Canadian group, calling the centre a truly world-class facility.
“It’s really impressive how they’ve put all these treatments together in one place,” she said, noting that she was glad to see that there was a focus on overall wellness, not just physical wellness but mental wellness as well. She described her trip as a great experience and said she would definitely recommend it to friends.
As part of the pilot zone’s efforts to develop health tourism, 25 specialized routes have been launched, tailored to different needs, from traditional Chinese medicine and chronic disease treatment to high-end medical check-ups and medical cosmetology. These routes are increasingly popular around the world. The pilot zone has also become a key platform supporting Hainan’s efforts to become a hub for international tourism and consumption.
By the end of 2024, more than 410,000 people had taken medical tours in the pilot zone, which is 36.76 percent more than in the previous year. Since the beginning of this year, 188,300 tourists from countries such as Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Cuba have already visited the zone to use medical services.
Kareldus Agas, an official with the International Tourism Promotion Department of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, was deeply impressed by the comprehensive services at the pilot zone after visiting some wellness projects and traditional cultural activities, including calligraphy and cupping.
He said that Boao Lecheng not only offers advanced medical services, but also a harmonious combination of relaxation, wellness and spiritual healing, creating a truly unforgettable experience. He expressed a strong desire to visit the area again, even without a medical request, just to enjoy the unique feeling of relaxation he felt there.
The pilot zone has established partnerships with more than 180 pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers from 20 countries, providing access to advanced international medical services for both domestic and foreign visitors, said He Ying, an official with the Boao Lecheng International Health Tourism Pilot Zone.
He added that the zone will continue to strengthen its service platforms and capacity to receive foreign tourists with the aim of becoming a world-class health tourism destination.
As part of its broader economic strategy, China is turning Hainan into a free trade port and aims to turn the province into a global tourist and consumer destination by 2035. -0-