ROK medical center in China's coastal city takes shape

East China's coastal city of Qingdao is a step closer toward its goal of becoming an international health center as it attracts a number of medical and plastic surgery from the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The city has seen a cluster of medical institutions affiliated with ROK universities set foot since China's free trade agreement (FTAs) with ROK took effect in December.

Zhao Shiyu, director of the administrative committee of Qingdao International Economic Cooperation Zone, said on Sunday that the zone has seen the launch of health institutes from ROK's prestigious Yousei University, the University of Daegu Care, Kyungpook National University and Soonchunhyang University.

Services cover oral health, physical examination, hair care and medical staff training, among others.

He attributed the zone's aggregation effect to the bilateral FTA, which has not only saved billions in tariffs for companies from both countries, but also facilitated personnel flows.

China's coastal cities close to ROK, including Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai and Dalian, have sought to obtain ROK's advanced medical techniques, professionals and equipment to develop the local medical sectors.

ROK tourist agencies estimated that about 70 percent of Chinese tourists flocking to ROK visited for cosmetic surgery, medical services and beauty care.

The cosmetic surgery market in ROK, however, is nearly saturated. Both China and ROK have eyed the opportunities of jointly tap China's huge medical business potential. Endi