American pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has announced the formal operation of its Chinese medical device production base in Suzhou.

Involving an investment of US$100 million in the first schedule, the facility in Suzhou will provide orthopaedics devices to Johnson &J ohnson's Chinese and international clients. Xie Wenjian, president of Johnson & Johnson Medical (China) Ltd, says that the facility will become the largest one for Johnson & Johnson Medical in the world in five years.

Johnson & Johnson moved the medical facility into China in order to lower its production cost which is expected to be reduced by one-third due to the cheap local raw material procurement and favorable taxation.