BRISTOL-MYERS Squibb yesterday said it expects its China sales to grow by 27 percent this year, double the growth in 2011, based on strong demand for its key hepatitis and diabetes products.

Last year, its sales in China grew 13 percent annually, beating its global growth of 9 percent.

"We plan to introduce at least two new prescription drugs to the Chinese market this year and focus on getting more new innovative products registered in China," Jean-Christophe Pointeau, president of BMS China, said yesterday.