Jiahui Health Showcases China's Expanding Influence in Global Medical Tourism at 2026 WTO Forum

In a momentous session at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum 2026 in Geneva, Dr. John K. Hsiang, Chairman of the Jiahui Health Executive Committee, emphasized the increasing momentum of inbound medical tourism to China. This surge stems from a combination of expanding access to innovative therapies, streamlined visa processes, and the development of internationally oriented healthcare services.

During the session titled "Health Without Borders: Medical Tourism – Opportunities and Challenges in Services Trade," Dr. Hsiang was the sole representative from China invited to share insights into the country's experience with international medical services. He reported compelling statistics that underline the growing interest in China as a destination for medical care. Major hospitals in China serving international patients recorded an impressive 1.28 million visits in 2025, marking a staggering increase of 73.6% since 2022. Notably, out of these visits, 413,000 were specifically for medical treatment in China.

The momentum observed in international patient inquiries at Jiahui Health itself is telling, nearly doubling in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. This remarkable growth is supported by progressive policy reforms and an acceleration in medical innovations that are garnering international attention. Currently, citizens from 57 countries are eligible for a 240-hour visa-free transit through 65 ports in China. This development coincides with China's position as a dominant force in drug development, accounting for 33.7% of medications globally in the pipeline.

A significant breakthrough highlighted during the forum was the approval of the world’s first CAR-T therapy specifically for solid tumors in June 2026. This innovative treatment has already attracted international patients seeking access to cutting-edge therapies. For instance, a patient from New Zealand, diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer, traveled to Shanghai to receive the therapy shortly after it was approved, making him the first international recipient. Similarly, a patient from the United States diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer sought treatment at Jiahui, opting for ivonescimab, a bispecific antibody exclusive to China, following discussions with his physician at the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Hsiang articulated that Shanghai is positioned as a pivotal gateway linking Chinese medical innovation with patients from around the world. In 2025 alone, Jiahui Health facilitated over 100,000 international outpatient visits. The organization has developed capabilities that streamline cross-border healthcare processes, including direct billing with international insurance, remote consultations, and multilingual patient coordination services.

Looking toward the future, Dr. Hsiang called for enhanced international cooperation to facilitate medical travel. He advocated for more accessible information regarding medical innovations and proposed regulatory discussions on cross-border health data management and telemedicine advances that could further expedite medical tourism.

"Medical tourism sits at the intersection of healthcare, trade, and economic development," Dr. Hsiang emphasized. He firmly believes that within the next three to five years, China has the potential to establish itself as a premier global destination for international medical care. This vision aligns seamlessly with the growing global landscape of medical tourism, as more patients seek specialized treatments abroad in their pursuit of healthcare excellence.

As interest in medical tourism to China continues to rise, the healthcare sector is poised to become a critical player in the global health trade arena, driven by innovation and a commitment to patient-centered care.

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