The Economist.
You've probably seen the headlines.
China winning fans with EVs, robots, even futuristic but affordable furniture.
Now, there's something new on that list.
Hospitals.
I just flew all the way to China just to visit the dentist
and you would not believe the quality, the affordability, and the technology used.
Guys, you can complain everything about China but you have zero word to say about their healthcare speed.
Not many people notice but China is very competitive when it comes to dental tourism,
rivaling destinations such as Turkey, Thailand, and even Vietnam.
China's healthcare system has long faced criticism at home.
Overcrowded hospitals, unequal access, and gaps in services.
And yet, despite all that, it's now drawing in visitors from around the world
for everything from routine check-ups to major surgery.
I'm Jia Hao Chen, The Economist's China researcher based in London.
And this week, I'm joined by Gabriel Crossley, our China correspondent in Beijing.
And we're asking, why are foreigners heading to China for healthcare?
And could medical tourism be about to take off?
This is Drum Tower from The Economist.
Hey Gabriel, welcome back to Drum Tower.