Omron Healthcare made the international debut of its latest intelligent health management terminal at the fourth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, as the Japanese industrial automation giant is betting big on the Chinese market for greater growth.

"The move marked Omron's official entry into the digital medical sector, as the company strives to empower the health management of Chinese consumers with more diversified medical innovations to build a shared healthy China," said Kazunori Tokura, executive vice-president of Omron Healthcare China.

The new product, dubbed the AIMMC Xiaoou Assistant, is a smart health management terminal that integrates health data display, health status analysis and health knowledge. It is able to connect to blood pressure monitors and blood glucose meters to automatically get measurement data and generate health analysis reports.

According to Tokura, the blood pressure monitor has had over 300 million units sold globally, among which the Chinese market accounted for around 20 percent and contributed the most sales.

"Sales from the Chinese market have been overwhelming and the country has surpassed other economies to become the largest market for Omron," he said, adding Omron, which entered the Chinese market in 1993, sees the country as one of the most important markets in its global strategy.

The country put safeguarding people's health in a strategic position in China's Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035.

"It has become a great opportunity for Omron to participate in the vigorous development of the nation's health industry, especially smart medical care in the consumer market," said Wang Ying, vice-director of brand strategy at Omron Healthcare China.

Driven by demand for healthcare amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China's sales revenue for medical equipment hit 700 billion yuan ($109 billion) last year, up 21 percent year-on-year, according to a China Medical Pharmaceutical Material Association report.

During this year's CIIE, Omron Healthcare also signed strategic cooperation agreements with Jiangsu Dazhong Pharmaceuticals Group for its MMC, or metabolic management centers, health convenience stores that mainly help patients with daily chronic disease screening services, such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and pulmonary ailments.

With the move, Omron has reached cooperation with 58 chain pharmacies to operate 32 MMC health convenience stores, which have benefited 60,000 people across the country.

"The move also marked Omron's expansion into second- and third-tier cities. With MMC health convenience stores, more people can not only test their health conditions, but also manage their health regularly," said Liu Jingliang, vice-president of Omron Healthcare China.