Medical science experts to forge links overseas

Changping district of Beijing, which features a cluster of biomedicine and life sciences businesses, expects to link with the world as part of the capital's effort to further open up its service industry.

The district is one of the subvenues of the ongoing China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing.

At a 2,300-square-meter exhibition at the Taikang Business School in the district, about 50 companies are showcasing their industrial strengths and seeking to establish trade relations.

Attendees include Fortune Global 500 companies and unicorns. A unicorn refers to a startup company valued at more than $1 billion.

One of the companies, Beijing iBio Import and Export Center, is the country's first public service platform targeting import and export of biomaterials and special items. It is also a pilot project in Beijing's opening-up of its service industry.

The center can save money and time and improve efficiency in such businesses, to help promote development of the Chinese biomedicine industry, said Liu Sihai, its deputy general manager.

For example, imported lab mice can be delivered to an isolated warehouse the day they arrive at the airport after a customs clearance at the center.

From placing an order to receiving the mice, clients only have to wait three weeks, compared to two months before, he said.

Song Hong, deputy director of the commerce bureau of Changping district, said the district has many top biomedical, pharmaceutical and clinic research institutes. Collectively, they have great potential for strong demand of imported biomaterials.

CIFTIS attendees include companies producing heart stents, meninx (brain and spinal membrane) materials and cardiac valve materials, which may replace imported products, she said. She added that many professionals in the district were from overseas. Communications in academic study and trade in products with global partners are frequent.

"CIFTIS is a good platform to showcase the district's strength, seek more cooperation and promote development of its service industry," Song said.

Companies involved in intelligent life, intelligent education, culture, sports and tourism, are also invited. There are buses traveling between the main venue and Changping subvenue.