According to a message on the website of the Ministry of Commerce on July 6, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from journalists regarding the relevant measures taken in government procurement activities for medical devices imported from the EU.
Question: We have noted that the European Commission has recently introduced measures to restrict Chinese enterprises and products from participating in its public procurement of medical devices. On July 6, China issued a notice deciding to take relevant measures in government procurement activities for certain medical devices imported from the EU. What is the Ministry of Commerce's comment on this?
Answer: The European Commission introduced measures on June 20, 2025, restricting Chinese enterprises and products from participating in its public procurement of medical devices, continuing to set up barriers for Chinese enterprises in the field of public procurement. The Chinese side has repeatedly expressed through bilateral dialogue its willingness to properly resolve differences with the EU through dialogue, consultation, and bilateral government procurement arrangements. Unfortunately, the EU side ignored the goodwill and sincerity shown by China and still proceeded unilaterally, taking restrictive measures and building new trade protectionist barriers. Therefore, China had no choice but to take reciprocal restrictive measures. These measures are aimed at safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and maintaining a fair competitive environment. The Chinese measures target only medical devices imported from the EU, and products produced by European companies in China are not affected.
On July 6, the website of the Ministry of Finance released a notice regarding the relevant measures taken in government procurement activities for medical devices imported from the EU.
The full text is as follows:
All central budget units, finance departments of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and cities with separate planning status, and the finance bureau of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps:
According to relevant laws and regulations, after approval, the Ministry of Finance has decided to take relevant measures in government procurement activities for certain medical devices imported from the EU. The following matters are notified as follows:
1. When procuring medical devices with a budget amount of RMB 45 million or more (specific item list see attachment), if it is indeed necessary to procure imported products, after fulfilling the legal procedures, EU enterprises (excluding European enterprises operating in China) shall be excluded from participation. For non-EU enterprises participating, the proportion of medical devices imported from the EU they provide shall not exceed 50% of the total contract amount of the project. The above measures do not apply to procurement projects where only medical devices imported from the EU can meet the procurement needs.
2. This notice will take effect from July 6, 2025. Procurement projects involving the above measures that have already announced the results of bids or successful tenders before the effective date may continue to sign government procurement contracts without implementing the measures specified in this notice.
Attachment: Specific Item List
Ministry of Finance
July 3, 2025
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523877464544641551/
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