China’s Brain-Computer Interface Surge: How R&D and Policy are Fueling Commercialization

The Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) industry is absolutely buzzing right now, driven by continuous breakthroughs in R&D that are seriously fast-tracking its journey to commercialization, particularly with strong government backing in China.

It’s a pivotal moment, and we’re seeing innovation and policy converge to make BCI a reality.

On May 12, a coalition of eight departments, including the Sichuan Provincial Department of Economy and Information Technology (Sichuān Shěng Jīngjì hé Xìnxī Huà Tīng 四川省经济和信息化厅), rolled out the “Sichuan Province Brain-Computer Interface and Human-Computer Interaction Industry Breakthrough Action Plan (2025—2030).”

The goal? To build a nationally leading innovation hub for the BCI and HCI industries.

This isn’t happening in a vacuum.

Other major players like Beijing (Běijīng 北京), Shanghai (Shànghǎi 上海), and Guangdong (Guǎngdōng 广东) have already laid down policies to supercharge BCI development.

And it’s not just talk; technological advancements are keeping pace with industry standardization efforts.

Case in point: the recent launch of the first domestic online platform for “Brain-Computer Interface Patents and Intellectual Property.” This is a big step for protecting and fostering innovation.

Plus, Step Medical (Jiētī Yīliáo 阶梯医疗) just announced exciting progress in its clinical trial of an ultra-flexible, minimally invasive implantable BCI system.

Industry insiders are pretty clear: thanks to a potent mix of tech innovation and policy tailwinds, BCIs are on track for real-world commercial application.

Policy Blitz: Paving the Way for BCI Growth

Let’s dive into what these policies actually mean.

The “Sichuan Province Brain-Computer Interface and Human-Computer Interaction Industry Breakthrough Action Plan (2025—2030)” is ambitious, to say the least.

It sets some serious targets for 2030:

• 3,000 invasive BCI surgeries performed annually.
• BCI tech products and services reaching over 100,000 patients per year with neurodegenerative diseases, mental illnesses, and addiction issues.
• Rehabilitation equipment applications hitting over 20,000 instances per year.

The plan also aims to push multi-scenario applications and boost the adoption of next-gen human-computer interaction tech in key sectors like industrial manufacturing, healthcare, and emergency safety.

This isn’t an isolated move; it’s part of a broader national push.

Since the start of this year, various regions have been rolling out favorable policies thick and fast.

In January, Beijing (Běijīng 北京) launched its “Action Plan for Accelerating Innovation and Development of Brain-Computer Interfaces in Beijing (2025-2030).”

This plan emphasizes diversified financial support, encouraging government and investment funds to pump more money into early-stage BCI ventures. Smart money fueling early innovation is key.

Shanghai’s (Shànghǎi 上海) “Action Plan for Cultivating the Future Brain-Computer Interface Industry (2025—2030)” is equally forward-thinking.

It’s focused on breakthroughs in cutting-edge science, setting up an advisory system of “scientists + entrepreneurs + investors,” and strategically nurturing projects to drive product R&D.

On the national front, on March 31, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) released the “Measures for Optimizing Full-Lifecycle Supervision to Support the Innovative Development of High-End Medical Devices (Draft for Comments).”

This draft proposes:

• Optimizing special approval procedures.
• Strengthening registration guidance for “challenge-based” (jiēbǎng guàshuài 揭榜挂帅) products in AI and biomaterials.
• Coordinating with relevant departments to issue support policies for BCI-based medical devices.
• Continuously improving the standards system.
• Strengthening standardization research on new biomaterials like flexible BCI electrodes. This material science aspect is crucial for implant safety and efficacy.

And then there’s the money talk – pricing for BCI medical services.

At the end of March, the Hubei Provincial Healthcare Security Administration made a pioneering move, releasing the nation’s first pricing for BCI medical services.

The numbers:

• Invasive BCI implantation: ¥6,552 RMB (approximately $910.00 USD) per procedure.
• Removal fee for invasive BCIs: ¥3,139 RMB (approximately $435.97 USD) per procedure.
• Adaptation fee for non-invasive BCIs: ¥966 RMB (approximately $134.17 USD) per session.

This is a game-changer as it connects the “last mile” for BCI services to reach patients in the medical field.

Pacific Securities (Taipingyang Zhenquan 太平洋证券) rightly notes that this provides crucial policy assurance for the clinical application of BCI tech, paving the way for high-level medical innovations to move from lab to clinic.

Resume Captain

Your AI Career Toolkit:

• AI Resume Optimization
• Custom Cover Letters
• LinkedIn Profile Boost
• Interview Question Prep
• Salary Negotiation Agent

Get Started Free

R&D Breakthroughs: The Tech That’s Making It Happen

Policy is one thing, but the tech itself needs to deliver. And it is.

The clinical trial results from Step Medical (Jiētī Yīliáo 阶梯医疗) are pretty mind-blowing.

A subject, who had unfortunately lost all four limbs due to a high-voltage electric shock, was able, just one month after electrode implantation in their brain’s motor cortex, to:

• Skillfully “click” a mouse.
• Play Gomoku (Wǔzǐqí 五子棋).
• Play Mario Kart using only thought control. This is a direct demonstration of the life-changing potential of BCI.

Zhao Zhengtuo (Zhào Zhèngt拓 Tuò 赵郑拓), founder of Step Medical (Jiētī Yīliáo 阶梯医疗) and a researcher at the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhōngguó Kēxuéyuàn Nǎo Zhì Zhuóyuè Zhōngxīn 中国科学院脑智卓越中心), shared more insights with China Securities Journal (Zhōngguó Zhèngquàn Bào 中国证券报).

“The team is currently conducting post-operative brain-control training for the subject.”

“What we’ve released are the preliminary training results from the first month.”

“The entire training process will last for 3-6 months, and further results will be released subsequently.”

Patience and iterative development are key in such advanced medical tech.

Brain-computer interface technology isn’t a one-size-fits-all field; it offers diverse technological pathways and is currently in a period of accelerated transformation.

Based on signal acquisition and output methods, BCI technology can be broadly categorized into:

• Invasive BCI: Electrodes are placed directly into or onto the brain. Offers high signal quality but requires surgery.
• Semi-invasive BCI (or partially invasive): Electrodes are placed on the brain’s surface, beneath the skull.
• Non-invasive BCI: Sensors are placed on the scalp (like EEG). Easiest to use but can have lower signal fidelity.

The core technological hurdles in BCI are mainly in the upstream and midstream of the industry chain.

This includes:

• Hardware (electrodes, chips).
• BCI surgery techniques.
• EEG (electroencephalogram) signal acquisition, processing, and analysis. Sophisticated algorithms are essential here.

The main functions of BCI technology are incredibly versatile:

• Monitoring: Understanding brain states.
• Substitution: Replacing lost motor or sensory functions.
• Improvement/Restoration: Enhancing or recovering neurological functions.
• Enhancement: Augmenting human capabilities.
• Supplementation: Adding new capabilities.

These functions open up wide-ranging application scenarios.

Currently, downstream applications are heavily skewed towards the medical field.

In 2023, medical applications accounted for a whopping 56% of China’s BCI applications.

These medical uses are categorized into four main areas:

1. Diagnosis and treatment of consciousness and cognitive disorders.
2. Mental illnesses.
3. Limb motor dysfunctions.
4. Sensory deficits.

• Monitoring: Observing and interpreting brain activity.
• Substitution: Restoring lost motor/sensory functions.
• Improvement/Restoration: Enhancing or recovering neurological capabilities.
• Enhancement: Augmenting existing human abilities.
• Supplementation: Adding new functional abilities.

The Booming BCI Market: Stats and Projections

The BCI industry has vast prospects.

According to Qianzhan Industry Research Institute (Qiánzhān Chǎnyè Yánjiūyuàn 前瞻产业研究院):

• The global market size hit $1.98 billion USD in 2023.
• It’s expected to rocket past $6 billion USD by 2028.
• That’s a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of an impressive 25.22%.

Healthcare is, without a doubt, the most mature track for BCI right now.

In China, the market size of BCI equipment is currently in the range of billions of yuan (¥1,000,000,000+ RMB, approximately $138.9 million+ USD).

This accounts for less than one-tenth of the global market share, signaling huge room for growth.

Institutional forecasts are even more bullish for the long term: China’s comprehensive BCI market size is expected to surpass ¥120 billion RMB (approximately $16.67 billion USD) by 2040.

This translates to an average annual CAGR of about 26%. Consistent, strong growth is the expectation.

Find Top Talent on China's Leading Networks

• Post Across China's Job Sites from $299 / role, or
• Hire Our Recruiting Pros from $799 / role
- - - - - - - -
• Qualified Candidate Bundles
• Lower Hiring Costs by 80%+
• Expert Team Since 2014

Get 25% Off
Your First Job Post

Public Companies Jumping In

It’s not just startups; publicly listed companies are also ramping up their investments in the BCI field, mainly focusing on downstream solutions.

Weisi Medical (Wěisī Yīliáo 伟思医疗) recently stated they have extensive product and technology reserves in the non-invasive BCI field.

Their portfolio includes products like group biofeedback, multi-parameter biofeedback, and neonatal EEG monitoring.

To date, Weisi Medical (Wěisī Yīliáo 伟思医疗) has secured dozens of patents related to BCI, showcasing their commitment to innovation.

Xiangyu Medical (Xiángyǔ Yīliáo 翔宇医疗) also announced that its independently developed BCI series includes multiple wireless EEG acquisition systems with different specs and configurations.

These systems use multi-channel wireless EEG acquisition tech, supporting up to 256 channels – enough coverage for most relevant application scenarios in rehabilitation.

Plus, they’re developing products that combine BCI with exoskeleton robots, which could be revolutionary for mobility assistance.

CSC Financial (Zhōngxìn Jiàntóu 中信建投) offers a pragmatic outlook: although BCI technology is still in its early stages, its R&D and application potential is enormous.

They expect products to be gradually commercialized in the next 3-5 years.

The convergence of advanced research, supportive government policies, and growing investment is setting the stage for China to become a major force in the global Brain-Computer Interface landscape, with commercial applications becoming increasingly tangible.

• Invasive BCI: Electrodes placed directly into or onto the brain; high signal quality; requires surgery.
• Semi-invasive BCI (Partially Invasive): Electrodes placed on the brain’s surface under the skull; balance between signal quality and invasiveness.
• Non-invasive BCI: Sensors placed on the scalp (e.g., EEG); easiest to use; lower signal fidelity.

ExpatInvest China

Grow Your RMB in China:

• Invest Your RMB Locally
• Buy & Sell Online in CN¥
• No Lock-In Periods
• English Service & Data
• Start with Only ¥1,000

View Funds & Invest

References

• Continuous Breakthroughs in R&D Accelerate Commercialization of Brain-Computer Interface Industry – China Securities Journal (Zhōngguó Zhèngquàn Bào 中国证券报)
• China ministry vows breakthroughs in brain-computer interface tech by 2025 – South China Morning Post
• China’s brain-computer interface development enters fast lane – Xinhua Net