Driven by the national policy of “improving quality and efficiency, and serving the people”, day surgery has become a crucial breakthrough in the high-quality development of China’s public hospitals. As an efficient and cost-effective medical service model, day surgery in China has evolved systematically—from initial spontaneous exploration to structured, government-led guidance. Drawing on the experience of West China Hospital of Sichuan University, this article provides a comprehensive overview of day surgery model innovation under China’s unique management framework, covering the evolution of definitions, policy-driven factors, innovative development, distinctive quality control, and expansion of surgical procedures. Chinese day surgery is advancing toward a “five-dimensional” model—characterized by consistent definitions, standardized processes, objective evaluation, information-based management, and regular case selection—reflecting strong national adaptability and institutional innovation.