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Health in China

Health in China
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Health in China. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
China accounts for about 30 per cent of all new medicines currently under development worldwide, ranking second globally. Photo: Shutterstock Images
United States

Lab monkey prices soar as China’s biotech boom fuels windfall for breeders

In the first six months to June 30, there were 81 cross-border deals for innovative medicines worth a combined record of US$110 billion.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong can be the Asia-Pacific’s longevity hub

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Trending in China

70% of Chinese people take naps daily, continuing an ancient medical tradition

Trending in China

Chinese woman suffers red, itchy skin after extreme full-face coverage, sunscreen use

Hospital doctors say excessive level of protection woman adopted left her face cooped up in a humid environment, sparking facial blotches.

A Chinese woman who took extreme sun protection measures by covering her entire face with a hat and mask after applying sunscreen has developed skin redness and itchiness. Photo: Baidu
Trending in China

Chinese doctors remove 10cm live worms from woman’s arm after year-long pain

Doctors say parasite probably got under woman’s skin because of unhygienic kitchen habits; warn people of cooking dangers.

Cancer

Video | Chinese parents dance online to fund their kids’ cancer treatments

Parents of young cancer patients are learning to dance while live-streaming so they can earn money to help cover astronomical treatment costs.

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China consumption

China has the most smokers in the world. Is it harming the economy?

Public health experts warn low taxes on cigarettes risk undermining Beijing’s pursuit of a healthier population.

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A smoker in Yichang city, Hubei province on May 31, 2025. China is home to about 350 million smokers, according to the WHO. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Trending in China

Chinese woman suffers pancreatitis after 6-day starvation, binge-eating once weekly

Slimming woman scoffs down bucket of fried chicken on weekly day of ‘indulgence’, sparks secretion of enzymes that destroy pancreas.

Trending in China

Chinese man suffers kidney failure, needs emergency dialysis after intense workout

Taxing training regime leaves 23-year-old unable to urinate as doctors warn of over-exercising in hot and humid weather.

China’s private sector

With AI able to predict disease, can we treat ageing like a ‘bug’ in the system?

AI is transforming longevity as companies like METiS TechBio and Human Longevity use algorithms to combat ageing and predict health risks.

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Trending in China

Why Chinese culture fears plucking white hair and traditional remedies

Chinese have a tradition of consuming animal organs, hoping to nourish their corresponding human equivalents.

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Jet black hair is regarded as the ideal standard of beauty, health, and youth in Chinese culture. Photo: Shutterstock
China technology

AI has a ‘black box’ problem. China wants to make it more transparent

The initiative underscores Beijing’s growing focus on AI governance, as concerns grow over algorithm bias and data security.

China manufacturing

China extols potential of AI in guideline on marine biopharmaceuticals

Ministry of Natural Resources urges research institutions and drug makers to use the technology to speed up the development of new drugs.

Biomedicine: Companies

China’s Innovent Biologics signs US$10.5b Pfizer deal for 12 cancer drug trials

The agreement covers eight early-stage trials from Innovent and four discovery programmes from global giant Pfizer.

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A researcher uses a microscope in a cancer research laboratory. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

Chinese man who suffered urination pain for 3 years finds 1.3kg stone in bladder

56-year-old farmer tries unsuccessfully to self-medicate, stops travelling for fear of consequences, cannot sleep.

A Chinese man suffering from frequent pain during urination for three years finally discovered a massive 1.3kg bladder stone, shown above alongside a reference X-ray illustrating the condition. Photo: Handout/Shutterstock
Trending in China

China woman gets throat ulcer after quickly eating hotpot, ruptures digestive system

‘Hungry and carried away’ 42-year-old gulps down scorching hot dish; drinks iced water to ease pain, is diagnosed next day.

Trending in China

‘Occupational bug’: Stressed China surgeon goes viral over 150kg weight, bad diet

Overweight doctor bemoans his inability to shed the pounds; says he takes up ‘a lot of space’ at the operating table.

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Trending in China

China sleep protection and rest quality methods include use of scissors, walnuts

A good night of shut eye is part of the human condition and ancient Chinese rules involving mirrors and sharp objects remain to this day.

Chinese traditions for protecting oneself during sleep and enhancing its quality emphasise feng shui, protective amulets, scissors, walnuts and nighttime rituals to dispel negative spirits. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock.
China's economic recovery

China’s ‘common prosperity’ push faces reality check as inequality rises: study

A leading economist warns widening income and wealth gaps are constraining Beijing’s agenda.

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Artificial intelligence

Prognosis positive: how AI could help China bridge the medical resources gap

Hospitals, medical professionals and patients stand to benefit as country pushes to integrate AI into healthcare sector.

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China’s private sector

How China’s ‘landmark’ drug pricing guidelines could be a boon for biotech

State Council calls for ‘value-based pricing’ for innovative drugs, a move researchers said would benefit private healthcare players.

Chinese biotech firms reached 157 agreements to out-licence early-stage drugs last year. Photo: Shutterstock
Trending in China

Chinese man with stomach pain finds thermometer swallowed as child still inside him

Surgeons perform emergency operation to remove offending object; extracted device remains intact but temperature measurements had faded.

A 32-year-old Chinese man sought medical attention for stomach pain and was astonished to learn that a thermometer he had swallowed when he was 12 years old had remained inside him for 20 years. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo
India

Opinion | Asia’s flood of cheap Ozempic generics opens gates to weight-loss abuse

Cheaper semaglutides as patent ends is good news for diabetics. But lax regulation also means a risk of abuse by those desperate to lose weight.

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Biomedicine: Companies

Global drug makers face pricing pressure as China targets affordable healthcare

As pharmaceutical firms navigate China’s aggressive pricing reforms, their profits could be squeezed further this year.

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Trending in China

Doctors warn of spinal cord damage as ‘neck-hanging exercise’ trends with China youth

Trend of hanging from parkland trees by the neck to relieve cervical pain shocks social media; practice is already popular with elderly people.

In a bid to replicate cervical traction therapy used in hospitals, a new trend called the “neck-hanging exercise” has emerged among young Chinese people. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Trending in China

China youth flock to TCM bars for ‘prescription cocktails’ amid ‘punk wellness’ trend

Younger generation embrace notion of ‘wrecking yourself while saving yourself’ by drinking concoctions of booze and herbs.

Young Chinese consumers are flocking to Traditional Chinese Medicine bars where they can enjoy so-called prescription cocktails reflecting the rise of a “punk wellness” lifestyle. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote
Biomedicine: Companies

China biotech deals hit record as innovative drugs draw global interest

Deals reach US$60 billion in first quarter after analysts say Chinese biotech firms have shown substantial technological advancements.

Trending in China

‘Intimate touch therapy’ sparks debate in China over using hugs, sensory tools

Crossing boundaries debate rages as new treatment sees partially clothed stressed-out clients hugged, touched with feathers.

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