China sees rising influx of overseas patients for medical treatment

Boosted by advanced medical technologies and improved administrative support, China is emerging as a major global hub for cross-border medical travel, adding a new bright spot to China's service-trade exports.

The trend is clearly evident in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, which has established itself as a key destination for international cancer treatment, drawing an increasing number of overseas patients seeking advanced, minimally-invasive care.

According to the 2025 report from China's National Health Commission, key foreign-oriented hospitals in China received 1.28 million international patients, marking a 73.6-percent increase over a three-year period.

Peng Xiaochi, a specialist physician, has witnessed a sharp rise in foreign patients over the past decade, mostly from Southeast Asia. Among them is Ronald, a patient from Indonesia seeking treatment for conditions that yielded few viable options at home.

"We combined interventional therapy and cryoablation. Phase-one results were positive," said Peng.

The personalized approach has earned high praise from Ronald, who recounted his healthcare journey.

"Yeah, the treatment is very good and very nice. The doctors are very kindful. And yeah, they helped me very good. And last week I get my first treatment, which was a little bit painful, but yeah, okay, that's normal. It's for a few days and now it's becoming a little bit better. So we will go on for the next week," said Ronald.

A sense of relief was shared by Ronald's family.

"The conditions here are great. I feel reassured seeing him get treatment here," said a family member.

Ronald's story mirrors a broader trend. For overseas patients who find few viable treatment options at home, hospitals in Guangzhou offer reliable, minimally-invasive alternatives, according to local physicians.

"Surgery went perfectly. Lesions are fully addressed," said Yang Zhiguo, an attending physician.

Ronald left the hospital about one month after his procedure, which followed new international medical policies introduced in Guangzhou on April 29 to bolster services for overseas patients.

The city announced 12 supportive measures and launched an international medical tourism service center, providing comprehensive, end-to-end assistance that includes visa support, remote pre-consultations, and streamlined cross-border payments.

Wang Wensheng, president of human resources and travel service provider Sunbright Group, said the city's new policies streamline the medical journey.

"From pre-arrival assessment to post-discharge cross-border follow-up, patients are freed from cumbersome paperwork," said Wang.

China sees rising influx of overseas patients for medical treatment

An injured white-eared night heron, a wild animal under first-class state protection in China, was rescued by a warm-hearted resident on Tuesday night in Dayu County of Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangsxi Province.

Kong Weifeng, the resident, said he found the bird on his way home after work.

"I saw two dogs chasing the bird on the road. After scaring the two dogs away, I realized it couldn't fly. If I left it there, I was afraid those two dogs would bite it," Kong said.

Kong took the bird home and contacted local forestry authorities. Staff members from the authorities arrived at Kong's home shortly afterwards and sent the rare bird to a terrestrial wildlife rescue and monitoring center.

"The wild animal rescued in Dayu County is a white-eared night heron, a species listed as first-class state-protected wildlife in China. It is a subadult individual. Based on our preliminary assessment, it may have gastrointestinal issues and will require further examination to determine an appropriate treatment plan," said Hu Xiaoyan, a veterinarian at the center.

Inhabiting subtropical forest valleys and areas in the vicinity of streams and reservoirs, the white-eared night heron ranks among the world's 30 most endangered bird species. With its highly specific ecological needs, only about 1,000 adults are estimated to remain globally.

Rare white-eared night heron rescued in east China's Jiangxi