China will reduce import restrictions on medical equipment in Boao pilot zone

Beijing. April 11. Silkroadnews - China’s authorities announced they will ease restrictions on imports of medical equipment in a pilot zone in Boao, Hainan province in southern China, Global Times reports.
The State Council of China announced that for some medical institutions in the international tourist area of Hainan, Boao Lecheng, the Hainan local government can approve the import of medical equipment that does not have alternatives on the domestic market and are urgently needed for clinical use in those institutions.
The new rule means that the pilot zone in Boao will be an exception to the regulations on medical equipment. These rules require that overseas manufacturers of medical equipment must apply for special permits for the export of medical equipment to the mainland China market.
Data released by the China Center for Food and Drug International Exchange in March showed that in 2017, China imported medical equipment worth $20.36 billion, which is 10.6% more than last year. Export of medical equipment in China increased 5.84% compared to the same period year-on-year in 2017.
According to media reports, the Chinese government also provided other preferences for the Boao pilot zone, such as lowering import tariffs on certain medicines.