Seeing the potential of this emerging sector, industry players are getting in before competition intensifies, Shi Jing reports in Shanghai.

The rapid growth of the internet and the increasing use of internet and mobile devices have contributed to a flourishing online medical services industry in China.

According to global market consultancy IDC, the market for Chinese online medical services was 4.2 billion yuan ($618 million) in 2015 and it is expected to be 12.5 billion yuan by the end of next year.