China Health Care AI Monitor
Track China’s progress in health care AI through clinical studies, authorized medical devices, patents, leading companies, and national development programs.
The Latest National Indicators
45
2024 · AI Medical Devices in China’s Class II and Class III Categories, Based on Potential Harm to Patients
Why It Matters: Shows how quickly AI products are clearing the regulatory gate and becoming available for sale.
Five times the 2020 count
Source: JMIR Medical Informatics
262
2025 · Registered Studies with a China Location
Why It Matters: Signals how much clinical testing is entering the health care AI pipeline.
Up from 27 in 2017
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov
154
2020–June 2025 · AI Medical Devices in China’s Class II and Class III Categories, Based on Potential Harm to Patients
Why It Matters: Shows the breadth of the regulated AI product base available to health systems.
Authorizations through June 2025
Source: JMIR Medical Informatics
182
2025 · 146 AI Medical Device Product-Development Projects and 36 Supporting Projects for Testing, Standards, and Adoption, Selected by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Why It Matters: Shows the scale of China’s national development pipeline; it does not count devices authorized, sold, or deployed.
These are selected development and support projects—not 182 authorized or deployed devices
Clinical studies show where AI is being evaluated in research. The cards are registry-status snapshots as of August 5, 2026; the chart shows study starts from 2017 through 2025. These counts do not measure hospital adoption or post-deployment monitoring. Research publications show the scientific base behind future products.
491
Registry Snapshot, August 5, 2026 · Distinct Registered Studies with a China Location
Why It Matters: Shows how much clinical evaluation is currently underway.
A current registry-status count—not studies started in 2026 or a measure of hospital use
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov
284
Registry Snapshot, August 5, 2026 · Distinct Registered Studies with a China Location
Why It Matters: Shows how much of the registered study pipeline has reached completion.
A current registry-status count—not studies completed in 2026 or a measure of hospital use
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov
1,976
2024 · Papers with at Least One Chinese Institutional Affiliation
Why It Matters: Tracks the scientific workforce and knowledge base behind future products.
Up from 186 in 2017
Source: OpenAlex
Registered Studies with a China Location, 2017–2025
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 27 | 2017; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2018 | 49 | 2018; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2019 | 69 | 2019; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2020 | 102 | 2020; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2021 | 98 | 2021; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2022 | 143 | 2022; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2023 | 172 | 2023; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2024 | 225 | 2024; Distinct studies with a China location |
| 2025 | 262 | 2025; Distinct studies with a China location |
Counts include studies that assign an intervention and studies that observe care without assigning one; all matched this page’s medical AI definition.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov
Papers with a Chinese Institutional Affiliation, 2017–2024
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 186 | 2017; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2018 | 294 | 2018; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2019 | 482 | 2019; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2020 | 586 | 2020; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2021 | 696 | 2021; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2022 | 867 | 2022; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2023 | 1,323 | 2023; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
| 2024 | 1,976 | 2024; At least one Chinese institutional affiliation |
A publication counts when at least one author affiliation is in China. The series ends in 2024 to reduce incomplete-indexing bias.
Source: OpenAlex
China’s health-focused generative AI patent families increased from 72 in 2017 to 1,028 in 2023. A patent family groups related filings that protect the same invention. The section shows the trend and the leading named companies producing these inventions.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) identifies generative AI patent families classified as medical and life sciences. A patent family groups related filings for one invention; these counts measure invention activity, not products, sales, or clinical use.
1,028
2023 · Generative AI Families Classified to Medical and Life Sciences and Assigned to China Using the Country of the First Filing
Why It Matters: Tracks the annual volume of health-focused generative AI inventions.
Health-focused WIPO series currently ends in 2023
168
2023 · Medical and Life Sciences Generative AI Patent Families
Why It Matters: Shows that some published inventions have progressed to a granted patent.
Recent families may not yet show grants because grants lag publication
55.8%
2017–2023 · Published Medical and Life Sciences Generative AI Patent Families
Why It Matters: Summarizes the pace of expansion across the complete health-focused series.
1,724
2017–2023 · Applicants Associated with Medical and Life Sciences Generative AI Families
Why It Matters: Shows how broadly invention activity is distributed across organizations and inventors.
World Intellectual Property Organization Medical and Life Sciences Patent Families Assigned to China Using the Country of the First Filing, 2017–2023
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 72 | 2017; Generative AI families classified to medical and life sciences and assigned to China using the country of the first filing |
| 2018 | 108 | 2018; Generative AI families classified to medical and life sciences and assigned to China using the country of the first filing |
| 2019 | 254 | 2019; Generative AI families classified to medical and life sciences and assigned to China using the country of the first filing |
| 2020 | 399 | 2020; Generative AI families classified to medical and life sciences and assigned to China using the country of the first filing |
| 2021 | 509 | 2021; Generative AI families classified to medical and life sciences and assigned to China using the country of the first filing |
| 2022 | 708 | 2022; Generative AI families classified to medical and life sciences and assigned to China using the country of the first filing |
| 2023 | 1,028 | 2023; Generative AI Families Classified to Medical and Life Sciences and Assigned to China Using the Country of the First Filing |
The complete like-for-like health-focused WIPO series currently ends in 2023. Patent families group related filings for the same invention.
Ping An is the largest named corporate group in the WIPO health-focused portfolio, followed by Tencent, United Imaging, Kangjian Information Technology, and Baidu. WIPO combines Ping An Insurance Group and its technology subsidiaries; the published health-focused totals do not identify which subsidiary filed each family.
Distinct Medical and Life Sciences Generative AI Patent Families Assigned to China, 2017–2023
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Ping An | 248 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
| Tencent | 67 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
| United Imaging | 42 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
| Kangjian Info Tech | 37 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to Kangjian Information Technology |
| Baidu | 35 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
| BOE Technology | 16 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
| Taikang Insurance | 14 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
| Alibaba | 14 | 2017–2023; Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families linked to the named corporate group |
The World Intellectual Property Organization reports corporate groups rather than a subsidiary-by-subsidiary health patent table. Ping An therefore includes the group’s technology subsidiaries under the Ping An name. Each patent family is counted once per corporate group.
China assigns medical device classes according to how seriously a product could affect a patient’s health or treatment if it malfunctions or produces an inaccurate result. Class II devices require added controls; Class III devices can significantly affect treatment or cause serious injury if they fail, so they receive the strictest review. Annual AI medical device authorizations reached 45 in 2024, five times the 2020 count. AI products remain a small share of China’s much larger medical device authorization system, but the share has increased each year.
154
2020–June 2025 · AI Medical Devices in China’s Class II and Class III Categories, Based on Potential Harm to Patients
Why It Matters: Shows the breadth of the regulated AI product base available to health systems.
Authorizations through June 2025
Source: JMIR Medical Informatics
71
2020–June 2025 · Distinct Manufacturers Represented Among the 154 Authorized Devices
Why It Matters: Shows whether authorized products come from a broad supplier base rather than only a few firms.
Source: JMIR Medical Informatics
109
September 2025 · Standalone Diagnostic Software in China’s Class III Category, Which Covers Devices with Greater Potential to Harm Patients
Why It Matters: Shows the size of a narrower, high-risk diagnostic-software segment reported as marketed.
A narrower product group than the 154 authorized devices
Source: China Academy of Information and Communications Technology
China’s Class II and Class III AI Medical Devices, Classified by Potential Harm to Patients, 2020–2024
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 | 2020; Class II (moderate-risk) and Class III (higher-risk) AI medical devices |
| 2021 | 16 | 2021; Class II (moderate-risk) and Class III (higher-risk) AI medical devices |
| 2022 | 26 | 2022; Class II (moderate-risk) and Class III (higher-risk) AI medical devices |
| 2023 | 38 | 2023; Class II (moderate-risk) and Class III (higher-risk) AI medical devices |
| 2024 | 45 | 2024; Class II (moderate-risk) and Class III (higher-risk) AI medical devices |
The comparable full-year series excludes the partial first half of 2025.
Source: JMIR Medical Informatics
Share of All Newly Authorized Medical Devices, 2020–2024
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0.06% | 2020; 9 AI authorizations among 15,208 first registrations |
| 2021 | 0.11% | 2021; 16 AI authorizations among 14,337 first registrations |
| 2022 | 0.17% | 2022; 26 AI authorizations among 15,124 first registrations |
| 2023 | 0.24% | 2023; 38 AI authorizations among 15,892 first registrations |
| 2024 | 0.26% | 2024; 45 AI authorizations among 17,512 first registrations |
The denominator is every domestic and imported medical device receiving its first national authorization in each year, as reported by China’s National Medical Products Administration.
Medical Specialty Among 154 Devices Authorized from 2020 Through June 2025
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Radiology | 106 | 2020–June 2025; Medical specialty among the 154 authorized devices |
| Cardiology | 16 | 2020–June 2025; Medical specialty among the 154 authorized devices |
| Ophthalmology | 9 | 2020–June 2025; Medical specialty among the 154 authorized devices |
| Gastroenterology | 8 | 2020–June 2025; Medical specialty among the 154 authorized devices |
| Other specialties | 15 | 2020–June 2025; Medical specialty among the 154 authorized devices |
Radiology accounts for 106 of the 154 authorized devices, showing that China's regulated medical AI product base remains concentrated in imaging-related care.
Source: JMIR Medical Informatics
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) selected 403 development and support projects across the 2022 and 2025 AI Medical Device Innovation Task rounds. The total comprises 308 product-development projects and 95 supporting projects for testing, standards, and adoption; it is not a count of authorized devices. Over the same period, annual device authorizations rose from 16 to 45 and clinical AI studies from 98 to 232.
Rolling Four-Quarter Totals, Indexed to 2021 Q4 = 100
| Measure | Value | Period and Scope |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Q4 | 104 index (102 studies) | 2020 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2020 Q4 | 56 index (9 authorizations) | 2020 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q1 | 104 index (102 studies) | 2021 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q1 | 75 index (12 authorizations) | 2021 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q2 | 112 index (110 studies) | 2021 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q2 | 100 index (16 authorizations) | 2021 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q3 | 107 index (105 studies) | 2021 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q3 | 100 index (16 authorizations) | 2021 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q4 | 100 index (98 studies) | 2021 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2021 Q4 | 100 index (16 authorizations) | 2021 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q1 | 101 index (99 studies) | 2022 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q1 | 81 index (13 authorizations) | 2022 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q2 | 113 index (111 studies) | 2022 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q2 | 106 index (17 authorizations) | 2022 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q3 | 131 index (128 studies) | 2022 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q3 | 156 index (25 authorizations) | 2022 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q4 | 146 index (143 studies) | 2022 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2022 Q4 | 162 index (26 authorizations) | 2022 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q1 | 140 index (137 studies) | 2023 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q1 | 188 index (30 authorizations) | 2023 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q2 | 152 index (149 studies) | 2023 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q2 | 188 index (30 authorizations) | 2023 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q3 | 166 index (163 studies) | 2023 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q3 | 188 index (30 authorizations) | 2023 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q4 | 176 index (172 studies) | 2023 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2023 Q4 | 238 index (38 authorizations) | 2023 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q1 | 204 index (200 studies) | 2024 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q1 | 281 index (45 authorizations) | 2024 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q2 | 209 index (205 studies) | 2024 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q2 | 275 index (44 authorizations) | 2024 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q3 | 221 index (217 studies) | 2024 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q3 | 294 index (47 authorizations) | 2024 Q3; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q4 | 230 index (225 studies) | 2024 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2024 Q4 | 281 index (45 authorizations) | 2024 Q4; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2025 Q1 | 237 index (232 studies) | 2025 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2025 Q1 | 275 index (44 authorizations) | 2025 Q1; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2025 Q2 | 237 index (232 studies) | 2025 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
| 2025 Q2 | 281 index (45 authorizations) | 2025 Q2; Rolling four-quarter total; 2021 Q4=100 |
Q1, Q2, and Q4 mean first, second, and fourth quarter. The clinical-study series measures registered research activity, not post-deployment monitoring or hospital use. Activity increased during the period covered by these national programs. The chart shows timing and scale; it does not isolate how much growth each program caused.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, JMIR Medical Informatics, State Council of the People's Republic of China, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Health Commission; National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine; China CDC, National Health Commission and four ministries, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
The page uses the broadest repeatable China-wide indicators currently available. Each chart keeps the source's unit, time period, and scope; unlike measures are not added together.
The national system used to identify and trace medical device products. A matching public record confirms that a product appears in the current identification database; it does not show that a hospital bought or uses it.
In China’s system, Class II covers devices that pose a moderate potential risk to patients based on their intended purpose and how they are used. They require registration and added controls to ensure safety and effectiveness. The class reflects the possible consequences of failure, not how advanced the AI is.
In China’s system, Class III covers devices that could significantly affect treatment or cause serious injury if they malfunction or produce an inaccurate result. They receive the strictest controls and registration review. The class reflects possible harm to patients, not AI sophistication.
Research papers linked to Chinese institutions and registered studies taking place in China.
Regulatory authorizations, manufacturer counts, reported marketed diagnostic software, and medical specialty.
World Intellectual Property Organization patent families classified as medical and life sciences generative AI.
Product and supporting projects selected through the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology program.
OpenAlex
Annual publication counts
ClinicalTrials.gov
Annual and current clinical study counts
World Intellectual Property Organization
Medical and life sciences generative AI patent families
JMIR Medical Informatics
Annual authorizations manufacturer breadth and medical specialty
National Medical Products Administration
AI share of all device authorizations
National Medical Products Administration
Public Unique Device Identification linkage
China Academy of Information and Communications Technology
Reported marketed Class III standalone diagnostic software
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Program design and two-year completion cycle
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
2022 selected product and support projects
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
2024 winners from the 2022 round
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
2025 selected product and support projects
State Council of the People's Republic of China
National AI smart health and medical equipment policy marker
National Health Commission; National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine; China CDC
84 national AI health care use cases
National Health Commission and four ministries
2027 infrastructure milestones and 2030 adoption goals
National Medical Products Administration
How China assigns medical device classes based on potential consequences for patients