Demand for contactless healthcare services surged during COVID-19 lockdowns, utilizing remote systems.
Mobile apps streamlined the process—from registration to consultation and result tracking—making services more accessible.
The remote healthcare market reached RMB 186 billion in 2020, a 23.5% YoY increase.
Public demand for virtual medical services, including online consultations and expert bookings, grew rapidly.
Ping An Good Doctor recorded over 1.1 billion visits during the pandemic, with new sign-ups increasing more than tenfold.
Local players include Ping An Good Doctor, DingXiang Doctor, XiaoDouMiao, and Good Doctor Online, with tech-based newcomers like Andon Health, AliHealth, and JD Health entering the scene.
Due to high market entry barriers, foreign companies are advised to form partnerships with local firms, especially to provide services in rural areas lacking medical infrastructure.
2. Cybersecurity Solutions
The Personal Information Protection Law came into effect on November 1, 2021.
As digital transformation accelerates, cybersecurity has become a priority.
China’s information security market reached USD 9.78 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to USD 18.79 billion by 2025 (IDC).
In 2021, security hardware accounted for 47.8% of total network security spending, while the software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 21.2% over five years.
Major investment areas by sector: finance, government/education, healthcare, services, high-tech manufacturing, and general manufacturing.
Key focus areas: cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, remote backup, email security, disaster recovery, and endpoint protection.
SMEs often outsource cybersecurity services due to staffing limitations.
Most advanced tech providers are based in Europe and North America (e.g., CISCO, Sophos, TrendMicro).
Chinese leaders include Qianxin (Qi An Xin), TopSec, and Huawei.
Software management, consulting, and integration services present strong growth potential due to limited domestic software capabilities.
Carefully evaluate local partners and prioritize collaboration for tailored, localized services.
3. Oral Care Services
Mask-wearing during COVID heightened public hygiene awareness, bringing oral care into focus.
Interest in dental care products surged, driving a broader wellness trend.
Demand has shifted from consumer products to in-clinic services.
During JD.com’s 6.18 Shopping Festival, dental service transactions increased 800% YoY in 10-minute intervals.
Comprehensive service packages offering implants, whitening, and orthodontics gained traction.
Notable global brands: Philips, Oral-B, and rising star “Worms”; Chinese brands: Xiaomi, Usmile, and Saky.
Integration with internet platforms is effective for delivering remote consultations and holistic healthcare solutions.
4. Home Training Services
Home fitness demand exploded during the pandemic and continues to grow.
Even pre-COVID, in-home exercise products and services were on the rise.
Gym chains and athletic brands produced training content and videos for home users.
In 2020, China’s sports industry reached RMB 3 trillion, up 1.7% YoY; home fitness accounted for 72.08% of activities.
Sales of indoor fitness equipment and usage of workout apps soared.
Top fitness apps by weekly use (Q1 2021):
Lexin Health – 21.3 sessions
Buduoduo – 19.5 sessions
Tangdou – 17.4 sessions
Startups offering digital, mobile services continue to enter the space.
Segment target customers and offer personalized services, blending workouts with diet, disease management, and lifestyle coaching.
Participation in local fitness expos is recommended for networking and distribution.
5. VR/AR Content
With 5G rollout, VR/AR tech is expanding into education, gaming, healthcare, and entertainment.
The shift toward contactless culture due to COVID-19 boosted VR/AR adoption.
China’s VR/AR market grew to RMB 41.4 billion in 2020 (up 46.2% YoY), and hit RMB 54.5 billion in 2021.
While outdoor VR venues slowed, consumer demand for all-in-one VR devices and content rose.
China accounted for 30%+ of global VR/AR funding in 2020 (USD 5.76 billion), leading the world.
Top players in 2020: Pico (acquired by Bytedance), HTC, Valve Index, and Sony.
Lacking in 5G-ready content, China is open to collaborations with international partners. *Example 1: A VR gaming company launched a joint title with a local VR hardware firm. *Example 2: US-based Zspace partnered with Chinese firms to enter the VR education market.
Focus on creative, scalable content rather than politically sensitive themes.
6. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
China’s auto industry is evolving from manufacturing to mobility services, integrating IT and IoT technologies.
With 5G-V2X commercialization, the ADAS sector—key to autonomous driving—is growing fast.
The ADAS market reached RMB 84.4 billion in 2020 (up 19.3% YoY), expected to surpass RMB 225 billion.
ADAS unit shipments hit 15.5 million in 2017, projected to reach 70 million by 2025 (20% CAGR).
With low domestic ADAS adoption (10%), China is moving toward mandatory deployment.
Korean firms with advanced ADAS technologies can seek partnerships with Chinese automakers or OEMs.
7. Mobile Game Content
Lockdowns during COVID led to explosive growth in mobile gaming.
Widespread smartphone use accelerated mobile game adoption.
Users rose from 517 million in 2014 to 665 million by mid-2020.
Market size jumped from RMB 27.49 billion (2014) to RMB 209.68 billion (2020), regaining growth momentum with a 32.61% increase.
Mobile gaming market share grew from 24.01% to 75.24% in the same period.
Most-downloaded foreign games come from Japan, followed by Korea.
Compared to Korean and Japanese games, Chinese games are more accessible with less upfront spending.
The key to entering the Chinese market is obtaining a publishing license (known as “banhao”), which has been restricted for Korean games since THAAD.
If license acquisition remains difficult, companies can consider joint ventures with local firms or target platforms like Apple App Store, which bypasses some restrictions.
8. Eco-Friendly Plant Projects
With economic development, China prioritizes environmental protection and carbon neutrality goals.
High demand for solutions in air pollution control, wastewater treatment, waste incineration, and hazardous waste processing.
Air: pollutant tracking, odor control, early warning systems
Water: industrial and domestic wastewater treatment, groundwater purification
Soil: land reclamation, soil restoration for agriculture and construction
Industrial parks: animal waste management, green industry park development, chemical plant safety systems
International players from North America, Europe, Japan, and Korea have high entry potential.
Collaboration with Chinese companies through tech transfer and partnerships is encouraged.
Participate in local expos and trade fairs to build networks and discover partners.
9. Scripted Role-Playing Games (“Script Kill”)
Script Kill, China’s version of Mafia games, is rapidly growing among younger consumers.
The industry involves scriptwriters, distributors, actors, and venue operators, forming a stable ecosystem.
In H1 2021, it ranked third among offline entertainment activities after movies and fitness.
Market size hit RMB 11.74 billion in 2020 (up 7% YoY), and projected to reach RMB 17.02 billion in 2021.
Offline stores surged to around 12,000 by the end of 2019, up from 2,400 earlier that year.
Online users increased by 8 million during the pandemic.
Korean TV shows like “Crime Scene” are popular in China, showing cultural appeal.
Localize Korean-style content, props, venue design, and host training to increase appeal.
Gen Z consumers are digital natives—integrate both offline venues and online platforms (e.g., apps, WeChat mini-programs) for hybrid marketing.
10. Early Childhood Educational Content
China’s online education market is booming, driving new demand for infant and toddler content.
Well-known global IPs are highly sought after for collaboration.
As of July 2020, early education app users reached 82 million, with screen time up 15.04% YoY.
Over 60% of listed Chinese animation companies focus on content for children, generating solid revenue.
IP monetization is expanding through Internet TV, character licensing, and theme park projects.
Korean IPs like “Baby Shark” and “Pororo” are expanding via cafes, parks, and TV content.
While local production is improving with government support, Chinese buyers are cautious about lesser-known foreign IPs.
IP co-production or licensing deals with Chinese IPTV and media groups (e.g., Wasu Media) offer viable entry strategies.
