"The assignment of a medical insurance code makes it possible for BCI implantation procedures to be covered by China"s medical insurance system. By front-loading the reimbursement process, it will accelerate the clinical application of BCI technology and provide medical insurance payment protection for patients undergoing BCI implantation. It will foster a favorable ecosystem for the widespread application of BCI technology," Pan Helin, a member of the expert committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

　　With the medical insurance code, the product must still go through the hospital procurement process. Large medical equipment requires configuration approval from the National Health Commission, Pan said.

　　BCI-related clinical trials have already commenced in China. For instance, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday that the first BCI research ward in Southwest China, situated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, has recently received its 100th patient, achieving a series of ground-breaking progresses in clinical use of BCI technology.

　　The government"s policy support has prompted the development of the industry, Pan said.

　　For the first time, "BCI" was included in this year"s Government Work Report delivered to the National People"s Congress in March. The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development lists BCI as one of the six key future industries. At the same time, various regions in China are accelerating their layout of the sector. East China"s Jiangsu, Beijing, Shanghai, as well as Southwest China"s Sichuan have released action plans for cultivating BCI industry.