Hainan emerges as China's premier international medical tourism destination
Hailed as China's sole "medical special zone," the pilot zone is home to over 30 top-tier domestic and international medical institutions. Thanks to special policy support, the medical zone has introduced 485 advanced medicines and medical devices approved overseas but not yet available in the domestic market, benefiting over 130,000 patients.
Plagued by growing lumps on his chest and back that interfered with his work, Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka chose to undergo surgery during a four-day wellness trip to the pilot zone.
"In Canada, it is more expensive, and also it takes time to book it. And I was here, so I thought I would give it a try and I was very happy and I think it went very well," he said.
Mark is just one of many international visitors who have benefited from the medical zone's services, which go beyond world-class treatments to offer a holistic experience, ranging from premium health check-ups and a fusion of traditional Chinese and Western therapies to cultural activities like incense appreciation, tea ceremonies and calligraphy.
The Boao Yiling Life Care Center, a premier integrated medical service provider within the medical zone, offers a wide range of services like health management, disease prevention, specialized treatments, rehabilitation, and mental wellness.
Janet Wong, who is part of the Canadian wellness tour group with Mark, said she was astounded by the high-end health check-up she received at the life care center.
"We were so amazed right from the start when we arrived," she said, adding that the treatments were excellent and the medical check-up was incredibly thorough.
"In some ways, it does feel like a vacation," said Stephanie Wing See Yau, another member of the Canadian group, praising the center as a truly top-notch facility.
"It's very impressive how they put all these treatments in one place," she said, noting that it's refreshing to see a focus on overall wellness, not just physical, but mental as well. She described the medical tour as a great experience and said she would definitely recommend it to her friends.
As part of its push to become the "capital of medical tourism," the pilot zone has launched 25 specialized routes tailored to diverse needs, from traditional Chinese medicine and chronic disease management to luxury diagnostics and cosmetic rehabilitation, gaining growing popularity worldwide. It has also become a key platform supporting Hainan's efforts to build an international hub for tourism and consumption.
In 2024, the pilot zone attracted over 410,000 medical visitors, up 36.76 percent year on year. So far this year, the medical zone has already welcomed 188,300 medical tourists from countries including Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Cuba.
Kareldus Agas, director of International Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, was deeply impressed by the comprehensive services in Lecheng after experiencing health projects featuring traditional Chinese cultural activities like calligraphy and Chinese cupping.
He said Lecheng offered not only cutting-edge medical services but also a seamless blend of relaxation, wellness and spiritual healing, creating a truly remarkable experience. Even without the need for medical treatment, he expressed a strong desire to return, simply to enjoy the unique sense of relaxation it provides.
The medical zone has established partnerships with over 180 pharmaceutical and medical device companies from 20 countries, ensuring access to advanced international medical services for both domestic and international visitors, said He Ying, an official with the medical tourism department of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration.
He added that the zone will continue to strengthen its service platforms and international reception capabilities, with the goal of becoming a world-class medical tourism destination.
As part of its broader economic strategy, China is building Hainan into a Free Trade Port and aims to transform the province into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.
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Canada Standard
a day ago
- Canada Standard
Hainan emerges as China's premier international medical tourism destination
HAIKOU, July 5 (Xinhua) -- 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. Hailed as China's sole "medical special zone," the pilot zone is home to over 30 top-tier domestic and international medical institutions. Thanks to special policy support, the medical zone has introduced 485 advanced medicines and medical devices approved overseas but not yet available in the domestic market, benefiting over 130,000 patients. Plagued by growing lumps on his chest and back that interfered with his work, Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka chose to undergo surgery during a four-day wellness trip to the pilot zone. "In Canada, it is more expensive, and also it takes time to book it. And I was here, so I thought I would give it a try and I was very happy and I think it went very well," he said. Mark is just one of many international visitors who have benefited from the medical zone's services, which go beyond world-class treatments to offer a holistic experience, ranging from premium health check-ups and a fusion of traditional Chinese and Western therapies to cultural activities like incense appreciation, tea ceremonies and calligraphy. The Boao Yiling Life Care Center, a premier integrated medical service provider within the medical zone, offers a wide range of services like health management, disease prevention, specialized treatments, rehabilitation, and mental wellness. Janet Wong, who is part of the Canadian wellness tour group with Mark, said she was astounded by the high-end health check-up she received at the life care center. "We were so amazed right from the start when we arrived," she said, adding that the treatments were excellent and the medical check-up was incredibly thorough. "In some ways, it does feel like a vacation," said Stephanie Wing See Yau, another member of the Canadian group, praising the center as a truly top-notch facility. "It's very impressive how they put all these treatments in one place," she said, noting that it's refreshing to see a focus on overall wellness, not just physical, but mental as well. She described the medical tour as a great experience and said she would definitely recommend it to her friends. As part of its push to become the "capital of medical tourism," the pilot zone has launched 25 specialized routes tailored to diverse needs, from traditional Chinese medicine and chronic disease management to luxury diagnostics and cosmetic rehabilitation, gaining growing popularity worldwide. It has also become a key platform supporting Hainan's efforts to build an international hub for tourism and consumption. In 2024, the pilot zone attracted over 410,000 medical visitors, up 36.76 percent year on year. So far this year, the medical zone has already welcomed 188,300 medical tourists from countries including Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Cuba. Kareldus Agas, director of International Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, was deeply impressed by the comprehensive services in Lecheng after experiencing health projects featuring traditional Chinese cultural activities like calligraphy and Chinese cupping. He said Lecheng offered not only cutting-edge medical services but also a seamless blend of relaxation, wellness and spiritual healing, creating a truly remarkable experience. Even without the need for medical treatment, he expressed a strong desire to return, simply to enjoy the unique sense of relaxation it provides. The medical zone has established partnerships with over 180 pharmaceutical and medical device companies from 20 countries, ensuring access to advanced international medical services for both domestic and international visitors, said He Ying, an official with the medical tourism department of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration. He added that the zone will continue to strengthen its service platforms and international reception capabilities, with the goal of becoming a world-class medical tourism destination. As part of its broader economic strategy, China is building Hainan into a Free Trade Port and aims to transform the province into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.
Canada News.Net
2 days ago
- Canada News.Net
Hainan emerges as China's premier international medical tourism destination
HAIKOU, July 5 (Xinhua) -- 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. Hailed as China's sole "medical special zone," the pilot zone is home to over 30 top-tier domestic and international medical institutions. Thanks to special policy support, the medical zone has introduced 485 advanced medicines and medical devices approved overseas but not yet available in the domestic market, benefiting over 130,000 patients. Plagued by growing lumps on his chest and back that interfered with his work, Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka chose to undergo surgery during a four-day wellness trip to the pilot zone. "In Canada, it is more expensive, and also it takes time to book it. And I was here, so I thought I would give it a try and I was very happy and I think it went very well," he said. Mark is just one of many international visitors who have benefited from the medical zone's services, which go beyond world-class treatments to offer a holistic experience, ranging from premium health check-ups and a fusion of traditional Chinese and Western therapies to cultural activities like incense appreciation, tea ceremonies and calligraphy. The Boao Yiling Life Care Center, a premier integrated medical service provider within the medical zone, offers a wide range of services like health management, disease prevention, specialized treatments, rehabilitation, and mental wellness. Janet Wong, who is part of the Canadian wellness tour group with Mark, said she was astounded by the high-end health check-up she received at the life care center. "We were so amazed right from the start when we arrived," she said, adding that the treatments were excellent and the medical check-up was incredibly thorough. "In some ways, it does feel like a vacation," said Stephanie Wing See Yau, another member of the Canadian group, praising the center as a truly top-notch facility. "It's very impressive how they put all these treatments in one place," she said, noting that it's refreshing to see a focus on overall wellness, not just physical, but mental as well. She described the medical tour as a great experience and said she would definitely recommend it to her friends. As part of its push to become the "capital of medical tourism," the pilot zone has launched 25 specialized routes tailored to diverse needs, from traditional Chinese medicine and chronic disease management to luxury diagnostics and cosmetic rehabilitation, gaining growing popularity worldwide. It has also become a key platform supporting Hainan's efforts to build an international hub for tourism and consumption. In 2024, the pilot zone attracted over 410,000 medical visitors, up 36.76 percent year on year. So far this year, the medical zone has already welcomed 188,300 medical tourists from countries including Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Cuba. Kareldus Agas, director of International Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, was deeply impressed by the comprehensive services in Lecheng after experiencing health projects featuring traditional Chinese cultural activities like calligraphy and Chinese cupping. He said Lecheng offered not only cutting-edge medical services but also a seamless blend of relaxation, wellness and spiritual healing, creating a truly remarkable experience. Even without the need for medical treatment, he expressed a strong desire to return, simply to enjoy the unique sense of relaxation it provides. The medical zone has established partnerships with over 180 pharmaceutical and medical device companies from 20 countries, ensuring access to advanced international medical services for both domestic and international visitors, said He Ying, an official with the medical tourism department of the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone Administration. He added that the zone will continue to strengthen its service platforms and international reception capabilities, with the goal of becoming a world-class medical tourism destination. As part of its broader economic strategy, China is building Hainan into a Free Trade Port and aims to transform the province into a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Drinking on the rise among Canada's Gen Z: international survey
Drinking among Gen Zers is on the rise in many major markets throughout the world, including Canada, according to IWSR , a British-based firm that analyzes drinking patterns. Previous research about Gen Z alcohol consumption that painted them as abstainers. For example, in 2020, researchers from the University of Michigan reported that abstention was steadily increasing among college-age Americans. In August 2024, a Gallup study found 65 per cent of U.S. adults under 35 considered drinking unhealthy. An IWSR research survey conducted in March has turned that picture of Gen Z on its head. 'The idea that Gen Z drinkers are moderating significantly more than other generations isn't backed up by the data in our latest survey,' says Richard Halstead, IWSR's COO Consumer Insights. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. IWSR interviewed 1,374 Canadian adults in total for its spring survey. This number was determined to be a representative sample of the national population of adults of legal drinking age in Canada. The percentage of Canada's Gen Z legal drinking-age (LDA) population who reported drinking rose from 56 per cent in spring 2023 to 69 per cent in spring 2025. Gen Z drinking more 'is based on what we call 'participation rate,'' says Halstead. To be considered a drinker, respondents must have had one or more drinks in the past six months, he wrote to National Post in an email. The Canadian data for the other generational cohorts shows a small increase among Millennials: 71 per cent (April 2023) to 75 per cent (March 2025). However, alcohol consumption fell for Gen Xers (77 per cent in 2023 to 76 per cent in 2025) and Boomers (76 per cent in 2023 down to 72 per cent in 2025). IWSR defines these age cohorts as follows: Gen Z (18−27); Millennials (28−43); Gen X (44−59); Boomers (60+). Increasing income played a role in alcohol consumption among Gen Z drinkers, says Halstead. 'As more Gen Z LDA drinkers approach their mid-twenties, their disposable income is increasing, and that generally correlates with increased alcohol purchases.' IWSR research says cost-of-living pressures have meant most consumers focused more on buying essentials and staying home, rather than going out drinking. Otherwise, Halstead says the impact of demographic factors such as gender and household income has 'been fairly consistent in Canada.' Instead, he adds, an increasing number of people are reaching legal drinking age within Gen Z, boosting consumption for that cohort. Gen Z alcohol consumption is also growing in other key markets. In the U.S., consumption among Gen Z consumers rose from 46 per cent to 70 per cent over the same time-period. In the U.K. it jumped from 66 per cent to 76 per cent, in India up from 60 per cent to 70 per cent and in Australia up from 61 per cent to 83 per cent. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
