Integrating online, offline resources

As internet heavyweights scramble to expand the online healthcare sector, a tech company in southwestern Guizhou province is aiming to carve out a unique presence for itself in the fiercely competitive industry.

Unlike other internet companies that enter the sector as technology partners, Longmaster acquired a 66 percent stake in Guiyang Sixth People Hospital in 2015 for 155 million yuan ($24 million). Longmaster thus is the controlling stakeholder, not just a software provider to a hospital.

"Brick-and-mortar hospitals are the core assets of the entire medical industry. Without a hospital, it is impossible for us to be deeply engaged, let alone revolutionize the sector with technology and service-oriented minds," said Wang Wei, chairman of Guiyang Longmaster Information & Technology Co Ltd.