Many illegal clinics are flourishing in Daxing district, the suburban area nearest Beijing's downtown core. Because of convenient transportation and cheaper rents, the region has become the top choice of low-income migrants, the Beijing Daily reported.

As more people settle there, the need for medical services has increased. Most of the hospitals and clinics that have sprung up to meet the demand are unlicensed, but residents are willing to overlook their illegal status because the services are inexpensive, the doctors make house calls, and no registration fee is required. Between 2007 and 2013, the Daxing Procuratorate has tried 31 cases of practicing medicine without a license, a record-breaking number.