On September 16th, at the press conference of strengthening Beijing's role as an international exchange center, Li Ang, deputy director-general of Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said that Beijing had provided medical service to 127,000 foreign patients during the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

In terms of new policies, Beijing has carried out a work plan for the reform and innovation of international medical services. The plan designated 8 hospitals as pilots, set out 10 key tasks, promoted innovation-driven development in international medical management mechanisms, talent introduction, language services, clinical application of drugs and medical devices, and improvement of medical services for expatriates, etc. It also promoted the pioneering trial of innovation policies, and expanded policies in pilot medical institutions, such as the policy supports for medical insurance, allowing the institutions to independently set prices according to regulations, and importing drugs urgently needed for clinical use. At the same time, Beijing assisted Peking Union Medical College Hospital in importing mitotane, a drug for rare diseases that is urgently needed for clinical use, and employed foreign experts for specially set positions in Beijing Tiantan Hospital.

In terms of pilot projects of international medical care, Beijing has worked on improving international medical services. With China-Japan Friendship Hospital taking the lead, Beijing has established an international medical league and built an international pre-hospital emergency service system in Chaoyang District. It is reported that the Go Broad Hospital in the Life Science Park in Changping District has gained approval for the establishment of medical institutions, and the international hospital project is advancing steadily.

Beijing will continue to open up its medical sector to the outside world. According to Li Ang, the authority to register Sino-foreign joint ventures and cooperation as well as personnel from Hong Kong and Macao opening outpatient departments and clinics in Beijing has been delegated from the municipal level to the district level. For foreign and extraterritorial medical institutions, companies, enterprises and other entities, who wish to set up joint ventures and cooperation clinics here, Beijing will relax the restrictions that foreign investments cannot exceed 70% of the equity and allow foreign capital to set up Sino-foreign joint venture or cooperative non-profit medical institutions. Beijing will delegate the authority on the approval of foreign and extraterritorial physicians to the district level.

According to Li Ang, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Beijing will further strengthen development of the international medical service system to meet the diversified needs for international medical services. We will make sure that the pilot projects in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing United Family Hospital, Beijing Sanfine Hospital and General Administration of Customs (Beijing) International Travel Health Care Center are properly carried out and the process, service and environment are in line with international standards.

Beijing will also speed up improving medical services and payment systems to meet international standards, optimize medical services, and promote higher level opening-up in the medical field. At the same time, we will continue to develop and leverage the capital's strengths to popularize traditional Chinese medicine throughout the world.

(Reporter: Chen Xuening)