China’s foreign health aid: history, challenges, perspectives, and policy recommendations

• Published in: China International Strategy Review Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 153 - 167
• Main Authors: Wang, Yu, Liu, Peilong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 01.06.2019
• Subjects: Asian Politics; International Relations; Original Article; Political Science; Political Science and International Relations; Political Science and International Studies; Political Theory; Foreign aid; Reform; China; Health aid; Challenge
• ISSN: 2524-5627; 2524-5635
• DOI: 10.1007/s42533-019-00010-1

Health aid is integral to both China’s foreign aid and foreign policies. Over the last six decades, China’s health aid has grown in both diversity and scale. As a result of ever fiercer jostling between great powers and the further globalization of healthcare in the twenty-first century, China now faces challenges that relate to increasing both the scope and influence of health aid, bringing it under unified management, ensuring a steady supply of medical workers, and efficiently spreading proven national experience. As a responsible great power, China has therefore made a series of new commitments and proposals regarding foreign health aid in the new era and establishing the long-awaited national international cooperation agency dedicated to the overarching policy-making and management of foreign aid. Nevertheless, further developing national strategies, legal frameworks, decision-making and management mechanisms, and a holistic model for aid while deepening engagement with international cooperation are also essential for China’s future health aid reform.