(Yicai) July 11 -- China’s finance ministry has clarified its latest countermeasures in response to the European Union’s import restrictions on Chinese-made medical devices, including surgical instruments and magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

EU-funded enterprises registered in China can still participate in government procurement projects for medical devices valued at over CNY45 million (USD6.3 million) if less than 50 percent of the components are imported from the EU, the ministry announced yesterday.

Following the European Commission’s move last month to restrict Chinese medical device firms from public procurement projects valued at over EUR5 million (USD5.8 million), China announced reciprocal measures effective from July 6, barring European firms from joining programs with budgets exceeding CNY45 million.

Public data indicate that Chinese projects exceeding the CNY45 million threshold account for over 10 percent of the total and are on the rise.

According to industry insiders, China’s aim is to accelerate domestic technological advancements in high-end medical equipment and reduce dependence on imports. Experts believe the measures will benefit domestic manufacturers such as medical imaging giants United Imaging and Neusoft, especially in high-value sectors like CT and MRI scanners.

JunHe, a major Chinese law firm, recommends that foreign medical device firms enhance the resilience of their supply chains in China by adopting strategies such as technology licensing and setting up wholly foreign-owned enterprises or joint ventures. These approaches can mitigate geopolitical risks and help maintain or grow market share in China.

Editor: Emmi Laine