Chongqing's New Health Hub: A High-Speed Future for Wellness

CHONGQING, China – December 15, 2025 – A new chapter in healthcare infrastructure and urban development has begun in Western China with the launch of Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing. Strategically positioned adjacent to the newly opened Chongqing East High-Speed Railway (HSR) Station—the largest rail hub in the region—this ambitious project by Singapore-based Perennial Holdings aims to create an integrated healthcare ecosystem with unprecedented reach.

The launch is not merely a real estate venture; it is a significant milestone celebrated amid the 10th anniversary of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) and the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. The RMB1.5 billion first phase represents a bold fusion of transit-oriented development (TOD) with advanced medical services, signaling a potential paradigm shift in how healthcare is delivered to a region of over 360 million people.

A New Model for Regional Healthcare Access

At the heart of this development is its symbiotic relationship with the Chongqing East HSR Station. This is no ordinary station; it is a national-level nexus within China’s 'Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal' HSR plan. Spanning 1.22 million square meters with 15 platforms and 29 tracks, the station is an architectural marvel designed to handle an annual passenger volume of 55 million. Its network connects to seven HSR lines and four metro lines, slashing travel times to major western and eastern cities. Chengdu and Guiyang are now within an hour's reach, while hubs like Wuhan and Xi'an are just three hours away.

This extraordinary connectivity is the engine for Perennial Healthcare City's vision. The project aims to transform the station from a simple transit point into a gateway for health and wellness. For a region grappling with significant demographic pressures, this accessibility is critical. Chongqing itself is one of China’s fastest-aging municipalities, with over 8 million residents aged 60 and above, representing more than 25% of its population. The demand for sophisticated eldercare, rehabilitation, and specialist medical services far outstrips current supply.

The development directly targets this gap. Phase one, slated for progressive completion from 2028, will feature a 500-bed tertiary general hospital and a cluster of specialist hospitals across 140,000 square meters. Subsequent phases will add over 260,000 square meters of eldercare facilities, serviced residences, and hospitality components, creating a comprehensive wellness environment. By placing these services at the doorstep of a massive transportation artery, Perennial is effectively creating a regional healthcare destination, accessible to millions who previously faced long journeys for advanced medical attention.

The Blueprint for Integrated Urban Wellness

Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing is the sixth and latest iteration of Perennial Holdings' signature healthcare-centric TOD model in China. This strategy moves beyond building standalone hospitals and instead curates large-scale, integrated ecosystems. The company has honed this blueprint across projects adjacent to HSR stations in Tianjin, Chengdu, Xi'an, and Guangzhou, each tailored to its regional context.

For instance, the Perennial Alzheimer's Care Village in Xi'an, which opened in 2024, features a pioneering design that allows patients to move freely within a simulated town environment. In Tianjin, the company launched the world's first HSR TOD of its kind, which includes a wholly foreign-owned private tertiary hospital. This track record demonstrates a deep understanding of how to merge infrastructure with specialized care.

A key innovation in Perennial's model is the implementation of a “shared medical facilities and services concept.” This allows independent doctors and smaller medical groups to operate on an asset-light basis, utilizing the central infrastructure of the hospitals without the prohibitive cost of building their own. This platform approach is designed to attract top-tier medical talent, fostering a competitive and diverse healthcare environment that benefits patients.

"By harnessing Singapore's international healthcare standards alongside Chongqing's high-quality medical resources, we aim to deliver exceptional medical services," said Mr Pua Seck Guan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perennial Holdings. The goal is to serve not only the local community but also the growing number of expatriates from multinational companies establishing a presence in Chongqing under the CCI.

A Landmark of Strategic Cooperation

The project’s timing and the high-profile attendance at its launch ceremony underscore its profound diplomatic significance. The presence of Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and other senior ministers highlights this development as a flagship achievement of the CCI. Launched in 2015, the CCI is the third major government-to-government project between Singapore and China, uniquely focused on strengthening connectivity to drive economic development in China's vast western region.

This healthcare city is a tangible manifestation of that goal. It leverages financial and logistical connectivity to build critical social infrastructure. "This development will bring international, high-quality medical and healthcare resources to the Chongqing East HSR Station zone, elevating services available to the community across the region," noted Mr Shi Jidong, Chairman of Chongqing Transportation and Investment Group, one of Perennial's key partners.

Singaporean government officials echoed this sentiment, framing the project as a key part of the deepening bilateral relationship. "Located near Chongqing East HSR station, Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing integrates healthcare, commercial and community facilities with a major transport hub, supporting Chongqing's development as a regional medical centre," stated Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. "As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative this year, Singapore will continue to deepen our collaboration with Chongqing, including in newer sectors such as healthcare, for the benefit of our peoples."

As Perennial Healthcare City Chongqing moves from blueprint to reality, it will be a critical test case for this new generation of urban development. Its success could set a precedent for how rapidly urbanizing regions can address pressing social needs like healthcare and eldercare by strategically integrating them with the massive infrastructure investments that are reshaping the continent.