Why is there such a discrepancy between foreign and Chinese producers of medical devices?

The discrepancy between foreign and Chinese producers of medical devices is commonly attributed to the high entry barriers for the higher-end medical device market: producing more technologically advanced equipment is capital-intensive, requires a great deal of technical knowledge and generally has a longer time to market. Faced with a lack of financing, many firms are unable or unwilling to make the investments necessary for moving into the higher ranges of the market. Often it is simply easier for domestic firms to copy foreign products, which has led to an upsurge in patent litigation in recent years.