Hainan emerges as China's premier international medical tourism destination

Nestled in the coastal town of Boao in south China's Hainan Province, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone is rapidly becoming a leading hub for health and innovation in China, drawing increasing attention from around the world and bringing new hope to patients and their families grappling with rare diseases.

At the pilot zone, also known as "Hope City", four-year-old Haohao, who was born deaf, is undergoing a course of life-changing treatment so he can hear. He received his first cochlea implant at a hospital near his countryside home, in east China's Anhui Province. But when it came time for the implant in his other ear, his family decided to travel to the Medical Tourism Pilot Zone.

"Haohao's doctor told us that he had a very serious gene mutation affecting his hearing in both ears. Before, I didn't believe that he would be able to hear. Now I think it's very helpful to get him this equipment, and I think it's better to do it here," said the boy's grandmother.

Haohao will receive the latest generation of the cochlea implant thanks to the Pilot zone's policy to fast-track access to new medical devices. The operation will make use of a stabilizing robotic arm, the first of its kind available in China.

There are also significant economic advantages for patients who travel to the Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. Imported medical devices enjoy duty-free status, pushing down the cost of treatment.

"Hainan now has a duty-free policy thanks to the special customs rules. That means the cochlea is imported on a tax-free basis, so it is cheaper than in other places. Then some of the cost is reimbursed through medical insurance, so the burden of patients has been greatly reduced," said Cui Jingwei, Deputy Chief Physician of the E.N.T. Dept at Boao Super Hospital.

Now, the pilot zone is home to over 30 top-tier domestic and international medical institutions and more than 500 pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices approved overseas but not yet available in the domestic market have been licensed for patients to access there.

"Our Lecheng pilot zone is the first to try this way of operating. We have already enjoyed the zero tariff policy - something exclusive to Boao. But after the special customs operations, there will be more places in Hainan like us that can enjoy preferential policies like ours," Cui said.

Hainan emerges as China's premier international medical tourism destination

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday that the red line on protecting civilians in conflicts must not be crossed.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Abdullah briefed Wang on the regional situation and the UAE's position, saying the country is not a party to the war, has not participated in the current conflict, and should not be subjected to illegal attacks.

He expressed appreciation for China's consistent objective and impartial stance, adding that the UAE expects China to continue to play an active and important role in the current grave circumstances to prevent further escalation of regional tensions.

The UAE will continue to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions in the country, Abdullah said.

For his part, Wang reiterated China's principled position on the current situation in Iran, noting that the spillover of war serves no one's interests and that the people of the region would be the ones to suffer.

He stressed that non-military targets related to energy, economy and people's livelihoods should not be attacked, and that the security of shipping routes must be safeguarded.

Wang noted that the UAE had worked for peace even before the conflict broke out, and that a recent foreign ministers' meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to overcome the current crisis and safeguard regional security, which China appreciates.

China backs the UAE's legitimate demands to safeguard its national security and supports countries in the region in their continued efforts to resolve disputes through diplomatic means, Wang said.

China will not give up hope for peace and will continue to play a constructive role, Wang said, adding that China will send its special envoy on the Middle East issue to the region to conduct mediation efforts to help bring the region back to peace and stability.

Wang also expressed hope that the UAE will continue to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country.

Chinese FM says red line on protecting civilians in conflict must not be crossed