The Health and Social Care Secretary is travelling with large technology UK companies in a bid to develop trade opportunities.

Matt Hancock will co-host the UK-China Health Dialogue during his visit to Beijing, China and will also attend the World Economic Forum to champion the UK’s world-class life sciences sector.

The visit to China allows Mr Hancock to promote his vision for the UK to have the most advanced health-tech sector in the world. Mr Hancock will meet China’s Health Minister, Ma Xiaowei, to discuss how the two countries can work together to help patients live longer, healthier lives through the power of technology.

Mr Hancock said: “As global leaders, the UK and China must work closely together to tackle key emerging issues in healthcare like the increasing resistance to antibiotics, the issues of an ageing population, and how we can harness the power of technology to help patients live longer, healthier and happier lives.”

The Secretary of State will also attend and co-chair the World Economic Forum in Tianjin. He will highlight the shared interest around innovation in health technology – as well as discuss how patients can have access to the best and most cost-effective medicines when he meets with Minister Hu Jinglin from the National Healthcare Security Administration.

“I want the UK to have the most advanced healthcare system in the world, and this is a great opportunity to champion our world-class sciences and health-tech sectors,” said Mr Hancock.