Vice-Minister of Health Huang Jiefu called for more opportunities and government support for the development of private hospitals to foster a larger medical market, which can help meet rising public demand for quality medical services.

Huang, who is also a CPPCC National Committee member, made the remarks on Wednesday on the sidelines of the annual session of the 12th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee.

Statistics from the ministry show China now has more than 8,000 private hospitals, mostly specialized ones.