Now is the best time for foreign institutions to invest in China's healthcare industry, Anna Zhao, manager with Healthcare & Life Sciences China under the UK trade and investment section of the British embassy, told a forum in Beijing on Thursday.

"Considering the existing political environment for private capital to take part in the healthcare industry and the strong market demand, now is the best time to invest in China's healthcare sector," she said.

Bupa, a UK-based health insurance company, has been seeking a Chinese partner to set up a joint venture insurance company in China.