China’s Bold Push into Brain-Computer Interfaces: From Policy to Practice

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) landscape is experiencing a seismic shift, and China is emerging as a formidable force in this transformative technology. Having spent over a decade in the neurotechnology space, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the convergence of government support, healthcare reform, and technological innovation can accelerate an entire industry. What’s happening in China right now is nothing short of revolutionary.

The Numbers Tell a Compelling Story

China’s BCI industry reached RMB 3.2 billion (US$446 million) in 2024, with a year-on-year growth rate of 18.8 percent. Even more impressive, projections show the market will grow to RMB 5.58 billion (US$777.7 million) by 2027, exhibiting a year-on-year growth rate of 20 percent[1].

But these figures only scratch the surface of a much deeper transformation.

Government Backing: More Than Just Words

In August 2025, multiple Chinese authorities jointly issued guidelines aimed at promoting the innovative development of the brain-computer interface (BCI) industry, with the country seeking to achieve key technological breakthroughs in the industry by 2027[2]. This isn’t just another policy document gathering dust — it’s a roadmap backed by serious funding and institutional support.

The China Brain Project, launched alongside the 13th five-year plan in 2015, follows a “one body and two wings” structure, whereby investigating cognitive functions and research technology platforms contributes to both treatments of brain disorders and the creation of brain-machine intelligence technologies[3].

The level of coordination is remarkable. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), National Health Commission, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) have jointly released an “Implementation Plan for Promoting Innovation and Development of the brain-computer interface (BCI) Industry”[4].

Breaking Down Insurance Barriers: The Game Changer 

Perhaps the most significant development for BCI adoption is China’s approach to insurance coverage. During March 2025, the National Medical Insurance Administration created a new insurance category for BCI technology to improve access and coverage[5]. This is crucial because it directly addresses one of the biggest barriers to BCI adoption: affordability.

The implications are profound. With more than 1.35 billion people (over 95% of China’s population) covered by one of the Basic Medical Insurance (BMI) programmes, making it the world’s largest healthcare security network[6], the potential market for BCI technologies is enormous. When insurance covers these devices, they transform from luxury innovations to accessible healthcare solutions.

The National Medical Products Administration announced that it would introduce supportive policies for medical devices based on the technology, which could allow people with missing or damaged body parts to control computers and robotic limbs using their thoughts[7].

Digital Therapeutics: The New Frontier in BCI Applications 

China is rapidly advancing in the digital therapeutics (DTx) space, particularly in applications combining BCI with EEG-based neurofeedback systems. This convergence represents a significant opportunity for non-pharmacological interventions in neurological and developmental disorders.

The country’s digital therapeutics market has shown remarkable growth. A comprehensive review in 2025 identified 96 clinical trials on DTx in China, with cognitive disorders (22%) and diabetes (21%) being the most frequently studied conditions[12]. Since 2020, the China National Medical Products Administration has approved more than 17 digital therapeutic products, with mental and psychological-related diseases being the main application areas[13].

Of particular interest is the application of BCI-based digital therapeutics for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Meta-analyses have shown that digital interventions improved symptoms of inattention with an effect value of −0.20 and decreased continuous performance task reaction time[14]. BCI-based serious video games and neurofeedback training (NFT) are being used as cognitive training tools for ADHD children, providing more engaging and accessible alternatives to traditional treatments[15].

Chinese researchers are also pioneering the integration of BCI with eye-tracking technology for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring ADHD. These programmes have shown to be largely safe, acceptable, and efficacious for improving attention and social cognitive skills[16]. The non-invasive nature of EEG-based BCIs make them particularly suitable for paediatric applications, eliminating implantation risks whilst maintaining therapeutic efficacy.

Clinical Milestones: From Lab to Life

Beyond digital therapeutics, China is achieving remarkable success with invasive BCI applications. A Chinese man who lost all four limbs in a high-voltage electrical accident 13 years ago can now play chess and racing games using only his mind, after a revolutionary procedure in Shanghai in which a brain-computer interface (BCI) device was implanted in his brain[8].

This makes China the second country, after the United States, to advance invasive BCI technology to the clinical trial stage[9]. The success rate has been impressive: Since the device was implanted in March 2025, it has operated stably in the patient’s brain, with no infection or electrode failure reported to date[8].

The research team hopes the system could enter the market after receiving regulatory approval in 2028, with the potential to enhance the quality of life of millions of patients suffering from complete spinal cord injuries, double upper limb amputations, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[10].

Recent breakthroughs have extended beyond motor control. In December 2024, NeuroXess, in collaboration with Huashan Hospital, initiated the country’s first clinical trial involving high-throughput implantable flexible BCI systems for real-time synthesis of Chinese language. A brain injury patient successfully conceived the phrase “2025 Happy New Year” in their mind, which was decoded by a computer and sent commands to a robotic arm to make a heart-shaped gesture — marking the world’s first-ever New Year’s greeting conveyed via thought[17].

Regional Powerhouses Driving Innovation

The innovation isn’t confined to Beijing. Regional initiatives are creating powerful BCI clusters:

Shanghai has taken the lead with ambitious targets. On January 10, 2025, the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission released the Shanghai Brain-Computer Interface Future Industry Development Action Plan (2025–2030), which aims to achieve high-quality brain-control capabilities, lead in the domestic clinical application of semi-invasive BCIs, make breakthroughs in invasive BCI R&D, and form an initial BCI innovation ecosystem by 2027[1].

Guangdong is equally ambitious. On September 30, 2024, the Guangdong Provincial Government released the Action Plan for Accelerating the Cultivation of Future Industries, which includes BCIs under the “Life and Health” category[1].

The Talent and Technology Race

Leveraging advances in AI and semiconductors, Chinese firms are stepping up efforts to develop core BCI chips, seeking to narrow the gap with the US and other leaders and, in some cases, outpace them in clinical trials[4]. Companies like NeuroXess have created a multi-channel EEG acquisition chip that processes signals from tens of thousands of electrodes, while Wuhan Zhonghua Brain Computer Integration Technology Development Co., Ltd. claims to have developed a 65,000-channel bidirectional interface chip — well above the mainstream 3,000-channel standard[4].

The research infrastructure is equally impressive. The Beijing Municipal government is funding the Chinese Institute for Brain Research with USD 29MM in the first year, with a future USD 65MM annual budget[11]. Meanwhile, Shanghai’s Institute for Neuroscience will house the International Primate Research Center, with facilities for as many as 6000 non-human primates[11].

What This Means for the Global BCI Industry

For those of us in the BCI industry, China’s approach offers valuable lessons:

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Considerations

Foreign investors could find multiple entry points into China’s BCI industry. The sector is not restricted under the country’s current market access negative lists, the 2025 Market Access Negative List, or the 2024 Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access (Negative List). It is actively supported under the Catalogue of Encouraged Industries for Foreign Investment (2022), which explicitly names “research, development, and manufacturing of new computer systems based on quantum and brain-like mechanisms”[1].

According to CCID Consulting, the non-invasive segment accounted for around 82 percent of the total market in 2024, with a total value of RMB 2.63 billion (US$366.6 million). However, invasive BCIs are expected to increase as a share of the industry as the technology develops and application becomes more widespread, reaching as high as 25 percent by 2027[1].

The Bottom Line

China’s BCI push isn’t just about catching up — it’s about leading. With government backing, insurance coverage, clinical success, and massive investment, China is creating an ecosystem where BCI can flourish.

The roadmap targets breakthroughs in core BCI technologies by 2027, alongside the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem spanning advanced technologies, industry, and standards. By that year, China aims for its BCI electrodes and integrated systems to reach global performance levels, with two to three dedicated industrial clusters developing new use cases and business models[4].

For industry leaders, researchers, and healthcare professionals, the message is clear: China’s BCI revolution is here, and it’s reshaping the global landscape. The question isn’t whether to engage with this transformation, but how quickly we can adapt and collaborate to ensure these life-changing technologies reach those who need them most.

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