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Published by ChinaMNC · Xiuwu

China’s Health Sector Priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan: A Guide for Foreign Founders

A high-level national health conference chaired by Xi Jinping sets out priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. For foreign founders in healthcare, medtech, and related services, these priorities signal areas of policy focus and potential opportunity—while also highlighting compliance expectations.

What the National Health Conference Signals for Foreign Founders

On October 12–13, 2026, Beijing hosted the National Health and Wellness Conference. President Xi Jinping delivered a major speech, and Premier Li Qiang gave the concluding remarks. The event set the direction for China’s health sector during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, which is described as critical for achieving the goal of building a “Healthy China” by 2035.

For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China—especially in healthcare, medtech, pharmaceuticals, or wellness—the conference offers useful signals about policy priorities. It does not announce new market-access rules or investment incentives, but it clarifies where the government intends to focus attention and resources. Understanding these priorities can help you align your business plans with the broader policy environment.

Health as a National Priority

Xi stated that people’s health is an important marker of national prosperity and strength. Since the 18th Party Congress, the leadership has placed health protection in a strategic priority position and launched the Healthy China initiative. The conference noted that China has built the world’s largest systems for medical services, traditional medicine, disease prevention and control, and medical insurance.

The “Healthy China” vision described at the conference is one of balanced, inclusive, high-quality, and efficient health services. It should have strong capacities in health management, disease prevention and control, medical services, medical insurance support, pharmaceutical innovation, and talent training. This framing suggests continued emphasis on building robust, accessible health infrastructure—areas where foreign expertise and products may find demand.

Health-First Development Strategy

The conference stressed that health must be integrated into all policies. When formulating plans, designing policies, evaluating projects, and undertaking construction, the impact on public health should be considered first. This “health-first” approach means that health considerations will likely influence decision-making across sectors, from urban planning to food regulation.

Foreign founders should be aware that this cross-cutting principle may affect approvals, environmental assessments, and product standards in health-related fields. It also signals that projects with clear health benefits may receive favorable attention.

Prevention and Public Health

Xi emphasized that prevention is the most cost-effective health strategy. The conference called for solid foundational work in public health, including guiding the public toward healthy lifestyles, promoting youth health, creating healthy environments, encouraging fitness and leisure activities, strengthening food safety supervision, and improving the disease prevention and control system to prevent large-scale epidemics.

For foreign companies in food safety, nutrition, fitness technology, or environmental health, these priorities may translate into regulatory focus and market opportunities. However, they also imply stricter oversight in areas such as food safety—so compliance should be a top priority.

Improving Medical Services

A key task is raising the overall level of medical services. The conference highlighted the need to implement a “strong foundation” project for primary healthcare, optimize the layout of medical institutions, and promote tiered diagnosis and treatment so people can access care nearby. It also called for better chronic disease management, integrated prevention-treatment-rehabilitation services, and strengthened mechanisms for the inheritance, innovation, and development of traditional Chinese medicine, with greater integration of Chinese and Western medicine.

Foreign founders in medtech, digital health, or clinic operations may see opportunities in these areas—particularly in technologies that support primary care, chronic disease management, or integrated care models. However, the emphasis on tiered diagnosis suggests that the role of large hospitals and primary facilities will be clearly defined, which may affect market entry strategies.

The conference also encouraged basic and original research in health, translation of scientific results, and growth of the health industry. It stressed improving the patient experience and convenience. This could favor foreign firms offering innovative treatments, diagnostics, or patient-centric digital solutions.

Reform of Medical Insurance, Healthcare, and Pharmaceuticals

Reform remains a powerful driver. The conference identified the coordinated development and governance of medical services, medical insurance, and pharmaceuticals as the main direction of healthcare system reform. It called for deepening public hospital reform with a focus on public welfare, strengthening support for county-level and grassroots institutions, building a multi-tiered medical insurance system, optimizing centralized procurement of drugs and consumables, improving medical insurance payment and fund use policies, and enhancing drug supply and quality supervision.

For foreign founders, these reforms imply continued scrutiny of pricing, procurement, and reimbursement. Companies in pharmaceuticals or medical devices should monitor centralized procurement policies closely, as they can significantly affect market access and pricing. The emphasis on multi-tiered insurance may also create opportunities for private supplemental insurance or health management services.

Talent and Professional Standards

The conference stressed the need to build a strong cadre and talent team for the health system, selecting capable leaders for health authorities and institutions, and developing a sufficient, well-structured, and high-quality medical workforce. It also called for improving medical ethics and creating a society that respects doctors and values health.

Foreign founders should note that talent development is a priority. This may mean opportunities for training, education, and professional services, but also that qualifications and standards for healthcare professionals will be emphasized. Ensuring your team meets local licensing requirements will be essential.

International Cooperation

Xi noted that health for all is a shared global vision and called for building a global community of health for all, jointly addressing major health challenges, and deepening cooperation in health under the Belt and Road Initiative. He also stressed the need to tell the “Healthy China” story well and build international consensus.

For foreign founders, this signals openness to international collaboration in health. It may create avenues for partnerships, joint research, or participation in Belt and Road health projects. However, it also suggests that foreign companies should be prepared to engage with China’s narrative and demonstrate alignment with shared health goals.

Practical Takeaways for Foreign Founders

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

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General information only, not legal or tax advice.