International Influencers Visit Wuwei Heavy Ion Center – Telling China's Medical Innovation Story

International Influencers Visit Wuwei Heavy Ion Center – Telling China's Medical Innovation Story

From June 23 to 24, the "Silk Road IP – Opportunity China" International Online Communication Campaign delegation left Lanzhou for the historic Silk Road city of Wuwei. International influencers from multiple countries, along with representatives from central, provincial, and municipal mainstream media, visited the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital – China’s first clinical application base for a domestically produced heavy ion therapy system. Through immersive on‑site visits and research, they gained a firsthand understanding of China’s heavy ion medical technology capabilities and the rich cultural heritage of traditional Chinese medicine in the Hexi region.

The delegation included influencers Roman and Nadiya (Russia), Jim (Pakistan), Wei Wuxia (France), Meng Tailong (Brazil), Huang Wenxing (Mexico), Avela (Uzbekistan), and Yu Xinke. They watched a performance of the national‑level intangible cultural heritage "Liangzhou Gonggu Zi" drumming, sampled local Hexi cuisine, and even learned Baduanjin (a traditional Chinese wellness practice) on Peach Blossom Island – gaining an up‑close experience of the charm of traditional Chinese wellness culture.

Following the cultural experience, the group toured the sand table model room, the core treatment area, and the smart hospital command center. Staff provided detailed explanations of the principles of heavy ion technology, equipment operation, clinical outcomes, and research progress. The influencers asked questions and engaged in discussions, gaining a deeper understanding of the clinical applications of precision radiotherapy. They highly recognized China’s independent innovation achievements in heavy ion equipment, praising this "great national instrument" for filling the gap in domestic high‑end radiotherapy equipment, offering a Chinese solution for cancer treatment, and transforming China from a follower to a leader in heavy ion medicine – contributing Chinese strength to the global advancement and accessibility of radiotherapy.

The Wuwei Heavy Ion Center is the birthplace and industry benchmark for domestically developed heavy ion technology. The center has broken through multiple core technological barriers and independently developed nine leading diagnostic and treatment techniques that are advanced both domestically and internationally. It is the only medical institution in China operating two heavy ion therapy systems simultaneously. The center has achieved outstanding outcomes in areas such as radiotherapy for thoracic tumors, single‑fraction same‑day treatment, respiratory‑gated radiotherapy, and precise treatment for bladder cancer. Using its original techniques — including organ‑tumor spacer radiotherapy and dual Bragg peak lattice radiotherapy — the center has successfully treated a large number of patients with complex and refractory tumors, precisely targeting lesions while protecting healthy tissues. It has also innovatively introduced a heavy ion therapy combined with a whole‑life‑cycle health management model, offering integrated services covering diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and holistic care.

To date, the center has treated more than 3,000 cancer patients from across China, as well as patients from countries including Australia, Belgium, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand who have traveled specifically for treatment. Its international reputation and clinical excellence have earned wide recognition.

This event, leveraging the communication channels of the Silk Road, served as an important platform to showcase Gansu's medical innovation achievements and deepen international health exchanges. Going forward, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center will remain at the forefront of technology translation, uphold its mission of innovation, and continue to drive the upgrading of China's heavy ion healthcare. Through the Silk Road connection, it will help tell the story of China's medical development to the world.

Writers: Guo Yishan, Yang Yang

First Reviewer: Yang Yang

Second Reviewer: Guo Yishan

Third Reviewer: Cai Qinghua

Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital (Wuwei Institute of Medical Sciences)

（甘）医广【2025】第11-14-387号