Shares of Chinese brain-computer interface (BCI) companies surged after China announced policies to develop the sector and compete globally.

On July 30, 2025, seven ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, released a plan to achieve major advances in BCI by 2027, and build an industry framework.

The policy targets creating two to three globally competitive BCI companies by 2030, without naming specific firms.

Shares of Nanjing Panda Electronics jumped over 19%, and MicroPort NeuroScientific gained 8% following the announcement.

Shanghai-listed Xiangyu Medical rose more than 11%, and Jiangsu Apon Medical Technology was up nearly 8.5%.

China will support startups and unicorns in the BCI industry, with research and clinical trials already underway in several cities, including dedicated BCI wards in Beijing and Shenzhen.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ State-directed industrial policy accelerates China’s BCI market transformation

China’s goal to create “two to three leading players” by 2030 reflects a targeted industrial strategy that’s already showing measurable results in market growth and investment patterns.

The country’s BCI market is projected to grow from $85.5 million in 2024 to $242 million by 2030, representing a 19.3% compound annual growth rate that significantly outpaces many traditional technology sectors 1.

This growth trajectory aligns with substantial private funding increases, exemplified by StairMed’s 350 million yuan ($48 million) funding round, the largest ever for a Chinese BCI startup 2.

The government’s approach of establishing specific numerical targets for market leaders parallels China’s industrial policies in sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy, where state direction helped create global champions.

Beyond immediate market effects, provincial governments are implementing concrete capacity-building measures. For example, Sichuan Province is targeting 3,000 invasive BCI surgeries annually as part of broader infrastructure development 3.

2️⃣ China pursues alternative technological pathways to challenge US leadership

While US companies like Neuralink focus on fully invasive brain implants, Chinese firms are developing semi-invasive alternatives that emphasize safety as a competitive advantage.