Over the past decade, China’s healthcare system has undergone a profound transformation, shifting its focus from “quantity and scale” to “quality and performance.” Today, China not only possesses the world’s largest medical network and an advanced medical research system but is also becoming a trusted choice for a growing number of international patients.

Whether you are seeking to understand the hierarchical structure of Chinese hospitals, find the right channels for medical care, or comprehend the distinctions between concepts like “public,” “private,” and “international” hospitals, this guide provides a comprehensive overview. It will help you understand the operational logic and current landscape of China’s healthcare system, offering a professional reference for your cross-border healthcare decisions.

I. Classification by Ownership: Public vs. Private Hospitals

1. Public Hospitals

Operated by the government or public universities, public hospitals constitute the majority of hospitals in China and are the core of the national healthcare system.

• Funding Sources: Government appropriations, medical insurance payments, and out-of-pocket payments.
• Physician Status: Doctors are typically employed within the “public institution personnel system” (shiye bianzhi), a status similar to public sector employees.
• Pricing System: Adheres to government-guided prices, ensuring transparency in charges.
• Key Features: High authoritativeness, comprehensive disciplinary scope, and strong research capabilities. They are the first choice for most patients with complex and critical conditions.
• Leading Institutions：北京协和医院、华西医院、瑞金医院等

2. Private Hospital

Established and funded by corporations, social capital, or private individuals, these fall under the category of “socially-run medical institutions” in China.

• Funding Sources: Self-financing, commercial health insurance, and out-of-pocket payments.
• Physician Status: Doctors are hired on a contractual basis through independent recruitment.
• Pricing System: Market-based pricing, which must be filed with the relevant authorities.
• Key Features: Often provide a better service environment, appointment-based management, and stronger language support, though the quality of medical care can vary significantly.
• Suited For: International patients seeking a more comfortable experience and greater language convenience.

II. Classification by Function: General vs. Specialty Hospitals

1. General Hospital

These hospitals have multiple clinical departments, such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and radiology, offering comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, and inpatient services.

• Key Features: A full range of specialties, facilitating the management of multiple coexisting conditions and consultations for complex cases.
• Counterpart in Western Systems: Equivalent to a General Hospital or University Hospital.
• Leading Institutions：北京协和医院、上海瑞金医院、浙江大学附属邵逸夫医院等

2. Specialty Hospital

These hospitals focus on a specific system or disease area, such as orthopedics, cardiovascular diseases, oncology, or ophthalmology.

• Key Features: Concentrated technical expertise, highly experienced physicians, and authoritativeness in their specific field.
• Counterpart in Western Systems: Similar to a Specialty Center or Referral Center.
• Leading Institutions: Beijing Jishuitan Hospital (Orthopedics), Beijing Tongren Hospital (Ophthalmology), Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Oncology).

III. Classification by Target Patients: International Hospitals vs. International Departments of Public Hospitals

1. International Hospital

These are legally registered Sino-foreign joint ventures or wholly foreign-owned medical institutions, primarily serving expatriates, high-net-worth individuals, and employees of foreign enterprises.

• Key Features：
  • Bilingual (Chinese and English) services.
  • A mix of Chinese and foreign medical staff.
  • Direct billing services for international insurance providers.
  • Medical procedures and privacy standards that are more aligned with those of European and American hospitals.
• Nature: Classified as private medical institutions but are regulated by the National Health Commission (NHC).
• Leading Institutions: United Family Healthcare (UFH), ParkwayHealth, Clinea (Guangzhou).

2. International Departments or VIP Centers in Public Hospitals

These are specialized departments or wards established within public hospitals, not independent legal entities. They are often called the “International Medical Department” or “Special-Needs Ward.”

• Target Patients: Foreign nationals, residents of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and high-net-worth domestic patients.
• Physician Source: Staffed by the core team of senior specialists from the host hospital.
• Service Features：
  • Separate waiting areas and inpatient wards.
  • Translation and foreign language communication services.
  • Fees are moderately higher than those for standard outpatient services.
  • Appointment-based system with shorter wait times.
• Leading Institutions: International Medical Services of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, International Medical Care Center of Huashan Hospital, International Medical Center of West China Hospital.

IV. Classification by Administrative Tier: Level I, Level II, and Level III

China classifies its hospitals into three tiers based on their capacity for diagnosis and treatment, research level, and scale.

• Primary (Level I) Hospitals: Grassroots medical institutions responsible for basic healthcare and the diagnosis and treatment of common illnesses (equivalent to Primary Care in Western systems).
• Secondary (Level II) Hospitals: Municipal or district-level general or specialty hospitals that handle common diseases and some complex conditions (equivalent to Secondary Care).
• Tertiary (Level III) Hospitals: Provincial or national-level medical centers that manage complex and critical diseases and undertake scientific research and medical education (equivalent to Tertiary Care).

For international patients requiring advanced surgery or interdisciplinary treatment, Tertiary (Level III) Hospitals or their International Medical Departments are typically the recommended choice.

V. Recommendations for International Patients

Type of Need	Recommended Choice	Notes
Complex/critical diseases, major surgery	Tertiary Public Hospital	Highest medical standards, concentration of top specialists, strong research support.
Specific, single-system diseases	Public or Private Specialty Hospital	Mature technology, high surgical volume, extensive physician experience.
Emphasis on service experience, language, and insurance	International Hospital / International Dept. of a Public Hospital	Comprehensive language support and direct billing for international insurance.
Routine health management or follow-up	Secondary Hospital / Primary Care Institution	Faster registration, lower costs, and greater convenience.

VI. Summary Comparison: Chinese and Western Hospital Systems

Classification Logic	Chinese System	Corresponding Western System	Notes
Ownership	Public / Private	Public / Private Hospital	Public hospitals are dominant, supplemented by the private sector.
Function	General / Specialty	General / Specialty	Differentiated by disciplinary structure.
Target Patients	Intl. Dept. / Intl. Hospital	International Patient Center / Expat Hospital	Offers dedicated services for international patients.
Administrative Tier	Primary / Secondary / Tertiary	Primary / Secondary / Tertiary	Classified by treatment capability and research level.

China’s hospital system is characterized by a dual structure of “administrative hierarchy and functional specialization.” For international patients, the key takeaways are:

• Public hospitals are the mainstream and most authoritative providers, concentrating the nation’s top medical talent.
• A Tertiary (Level III) Hospital is roughly equivalent to a University Hospital or National Medical Center in Europe or the United States.
• International Departments offer language and service support within top public hospitals.
• International Hospitals are typically private institutions well-suited for direct insurance billing and expatriate patients.
• The quality of medical care primarily depends on the hospital’s tier and the strength of its specific departments, not its ownership model.