Hainan’s Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone is increasingly opening its doors to international patients. The zone, established with State Council approval as China’s only medical special zone, allows the use of foreign-approved drugs and devices before they receive mainland approval, making it unique in China.
AXA Partnership: A New Path for Expats
On August 8, 2025, AXA China Region Insurance (Bermuda) Limited signed a cooperation agreement with the Hainan Boao Lecheng Administration. The deal is designed to integrate cross-border medical insurance services with Lecheng’s advanced healthcare facilities.
For expats and overseas visitors, this translates to:
Insurance support across borders: AXA will help manage claims and coverage for treatments in Lecheng. Exact cashless/direct-billing arrangements depend on policy and provider; check with AXA before visiting.
Expanded access to specialist treatments: Lecheng continues to add advanced therapies and overseas-approved drugs/devices under its special policies. BNCT (boron neutron capture therapy), an emerging cancer therapy, is under development and clinical research; availability should be verified with hospitals before planning care.
Growing international patient traffic: While official international patient numbers are not fully broken out, Hainan’s total medical-tourism visits reached 413,700 in 2024 (+36.76% YoY), showing a rising trend in cross-border interest.
Why Boao Lecheng Matters
Fast-track access: The zone provides zero-tariff entry for medical devices and drugs, and simplified approval for treatments not yet authorized elsewhere in China.
Operational scale: As of January 2025, the zone had 36 operational medical institutions and introduced 450+ overseas-approved drugs and devices.
Cross-border healthcare demand: In 2023, Shenzhen recorded 700,000+ medical consultations by Hong Kong residents, underscoring the appetite for high-quality care within reach of Hainan.
What Expats Should Know
Boao Lecheng does not replace routine care in Haikou or elsewhere in Hainan. However, for advanced or rare treatments, it offers:
Access to therapies not widely available in mainland China
Integration with select international insurance policies
English-language support and cross-border service facilitation
This partnership is a step toward more accessible, technology-driven healthcare for the expat community, providing real options without the need to travel to Hong Kong or overseas for cutting-edge treatment.
Related article: Medical Insurance for Foreign Talents in Hainan; What you Need to Know
