By Zafar Hussain

BEIJING, Feb. 3 (China Economic Net) - Pakistan's exports of medical, surgical and precision instruments to China exceeded $11.41 million in 2025, reflecting the steady expansion of bilateral trade in higher-value manufacturing segments, according to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).

GACC data showed that medical and veterinary instruments and appliances (HS 90189099) remained the largest export category. Shipments totaled 9,024,061 units with an export value of $6.65 million in 2025, compared with $7.97 million in 2024. Despite a year-on-year decline in value, the category continued to dominate Pakistan's medical exports to China, supported by stable demand from hospitals, distributors and centralized procurement platforms.

Chinese customs data also indicated growth in dental instruments and appliances (HS 90184990). Exports rose to $4.05 million in 2025 from $3.82 million a year earlier, marking a 6 percent year-on-year increase. Pakistan's established strengths in dental hand instruments and surgical tools continued to gain traction across China's expanding private healthcare and clinic networks.

By destination, Jiangsu Province emerged as the largest importing region, receiving 2.30 million items valued at $2.02 million, making it the biggest market by both volume and value. It was followed by Zhejiang Province, which imported 1.55 million items worth $1.20 million, largely under processing trade arrangements.

Guangdong and Hubei provinces were also major destinations, importing 1.17 million items ($0.59 million) and 1.30 million items ($0.53 million), respectively. Shanghai and Beijing together accounted for more than 620,000 items, reflecting strong demand from top-tier hospitals, distributors and major trading hubs.

For dental instruments specifically, Guangdong Province dominated imports with 3.58 million items valued at $1.15 million, underscoring its role as a key healthcare manufacturing and distribution center. Jiangsu, Hubei and Shaanxi followed, each importing 1.3–1.7 million items, while Beijing and Shanghai remained high-value markets despite lower shipment volumes.

Exports of ophthalmic instruments and appliances (HS 90185000) recorded particularly strong momentum, rising to $377,934 in 2025 from $228,608 in 2024, representing a 65 percent year-on-year increase. Endoscope exports also climbed to $125,350, up from $96,186 a year earlier, signaling a gradual shift toward more advanced medical device categories.

When combined with exports of optical products such as projectors and lenses, along with selected musical instruments, Pakistan's total precision and specialty instrument exports to China surpassed $11.41 million in 2025.

Pakistani exporters noted that China hosts more than 25 major exhibitions annually related to medical devices, healthcare equipment, optics and precision instruments. Key events are concentrated in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and Guangzhou, attracting tens of thousands of buyers, hospitals, distributors and e-commerce platforms each year.

They believe that participation in just three to four major Chinese exhibitions annually could help Pakistani exporters secure direct access to hospital procurement agents and large distributors, establish long-term OEM and private-label partnerships, obtain product registration and regulatory guidance, and enter cross-border e-commerce medical supply channels.

Exporters estimate that regular exhibition participation alone could boost Pakistan's medical and optical exports to China by 30–50 percent within three years, particularly in dental, ophthalmic and minimally invasive instrument segments.