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China’s State Council Approves Medical Rehabilitation and Nursing Expansion Plan: What Foreign Founders Need to Know
A State Council approval outlines a major initiative to expand and improve medical rehabilitation and nursing services across China. This article summarizes the key points for foreign founders operating or registering a company in the healthcare sector.
China’s State Council Approves Medical Rehabilitation and Nursing Expansion Plan
On September 28, 2026, China’s State Council issued its formal approval (Guo Han [2026] No. 99) of the Implementation Plan for the Expansion and Improvement of Medical Rehabilitation and Nursing Project. The plan was submitted by the National Health Commission (NHC) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). While the full text of the plan has not been published in the source document, the approval outlines the guiding principles, implementation requirements, and coordination mechanisms that will shape the project.
For foreign founders, this signals a continued policy focus on strengthening China’s healthcare service infrastructure, particularly in rehabilitation and nursing care. Understanding these priorities can help you identify opportunities and align your business strategy if you are operating or planning to register a company in China’s health sector.
Key Objectives of the Plan
The State Council’s approval specifies that the plan should be implemented under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and in line with the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and subsequent plenary sessions. It reaffirms China’s commitment to a health development path with Chinese characteristics and the new-era health and health work guidelines.
The plan focuses on four core themes: expansion, quality improvement, balance, and continuity. It emphasizes increasing the supply of medical rehabilitation and nursing resources, with a priority on primary-level healthcare. The goal is to enhance service capacity and accelerate the development of a system that is:
- Functionally complete
- Vertically integrated (linking different levels of care)
- Combining Chinese and Western medicine
- Efficient and accessible
Ultimately, the system aims to better meet the health needs of the entire population across all dimensions and throughout the life cycle. Two national strategies underpin this effort: the health priority development strategy and the proactive response to population aging strategy.
Implementation Responsibilities
The approval assigns clear responsibilities to different levels of government. Provincial, autonomous region, and municipal governments are required to strengthen organizational leadership, define division of responsibilities, and detail implementation measures to ensure the plan’s objectives and policies are carried out. Local authorities are encouraged to leverage their own advantages and innovate measures tailored to local conditions.
At the national level, relevant departments and units under the State Council are tasked with enhancing coordination, providing guidance, and detailing specific support measures to create a policy synergy for the project. The NHC and NDRC are specifically mandated to strengthen overall coordination, track progress, and summarize and promote typical experiences in a timely manner. Major matters are to be reported to the Party Central Committee and the State Council through established procedures.
Implications for Foreign Founders
While the document does not provide sector-specific regulations for foreign investment, it underscores the government’s prioritization of rehabilitation and nursing services. Foreign founders in healthcare should note the following:
- Policy direction: The emphasis on expanding primary-level services and integrating Chinese and Western medicine may create opportunities in community-based rehabilitation, home care, and integrated care models.
- Local flexibility: Provincial governments are encouraged to innovate, which could lead to regional variations in implementation and support measures. Foreign founders should monitor local policies in their target markets.
- Coordination mechanism: The NHC and NDRC will play a central role in overseeing the plan, indicating that inter-agency coordination will be key for any related projects.
Foreign founders should also be aware that the plan’s implementation will involve multiple government bodies and may affect licensing, standards, and reimbursement policies over time. Staying informed through official channels and engaging local partners can help navigate the evolving landscape.
Next Steps
The State Council’s approval is a high-level endorsement; the detailed implementation plan will guide specific actions. Foreign founders interested in China’s healthcare sector should:
- Monitor announcements from the NHC, NDRC, and local health commissions for further details.
- Consider how their business models align with the plan’s focus areas, such as primary care, rehabilitation, and nursing.
- Engage with local authorities and industry associations to understand regional implementation nuances.
This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.
For assistance with registering and operating a company in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.