China and the WHO pandemic treaty: a dive into stance, underpinnings, and implications.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Author(s): Huang Y;Huang Y; Jiang S; Jiang S; Kumah E; Kumah E
  • Source:
    Frontiers in public health [Front Public Health] 2024 Jan 30; Vol. 12, pp. 1335751. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 30 (Print Publication: 2024).
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Frontiers Editorial Office Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101616579 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2296-2565 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 22962565 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Front Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Lausanne : Frontiers Editorial Office
    • Subject Terms:
      Pandemics* ; International Cooperation*; Humans ; Global Health ; World Health Organization ; China/epidemiology
    • Abstract:
      The COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaps in global health governance, catalyzing proposals for a new WHO pandemic treaty. This paper investigates China's stance on the treaty, recognizing it as reflective of many developing countries' concerns, through a qualitative analysis of its interventions during the treaty's drafting and negotiations and an examination of historical and geopolitical factors. Findings reveal China's emphasis on respecting state sovereignty, differentiated obligations for developing nations, preventing stigma, and concrete capacity building-concerns shared across the Global South. Its posture balances pragmatism and principle, reflecting differentiated responsibilities as a major power and developing country along with philosophical divergences from Western legal thinking. While endorsing global cooperation, China insists on voluntary terms without impinging on policy space. Implications suggest that accommodating China's concerns about invasive compliance mechanisms and inequitable burdens through flexible provisions can shape the treaty's acceptance and architecture. Creative solutions reconciling sovereignty and collective action combined with concrete equity measures and depoliticized cooperation will determine the treaty's success. China's major role indicates its endorsement, representative of the Global South's voice, is essential for an impactful pandemic treaty and reformed global health governance.
      Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
      (Copyright © 2024 Huang, Jiang and Kumah.)
    • References:
      J Law Med Ethics. 2023;51(2):450-453. (PMID: 37655572)
      Global Health. 2020 May 1;16(1):39. (PMID: 32357894)
      Int J Semiot Law. 2022;35(3):883-902. (PMID: 33214736)
      BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Feb;8(2):. (PMID: 36854490)
      Glob Health J. 2019 Dec;3(4):98-101. (PMID: 32292832)
      BMJ. 2023 Mar 2;380:506. (PMID: 36863729)
      Front Public Health. 2023 Nov 06;11:1321125. (PMID: 38026386)
      BMJ. 2021 Nov 26;375:e069129. (PMID: 34836885)
      BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Jun;8(6):. (PMID: 37316254)
      Am J Public Health. 2022 Apr;112(4):567-569. (PMID: 35319947)
      Public Health. 2014 Feb;128(2):161-6. (PMID: 24370173)
      Glob Public Health. 2023 Jan;18(1):2200296. (PMID: 37077128)
      Lancet Glob Health. 2022 Sep;10(9):e1232-e1233. (PMID: 35841922)
      Milbank Q. 2023 Apr;101(S1):734-769. (PMID: 37096621)
      Global Health. 2023 Mar 31;19(1):24. (PMID: 37004079)
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: COVID-19; China; developing countries; global health governance; pandemic treaty
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240215 Date Completed: 20240216 Latest Revision: 20240510
    • Publication Date:
      20240510
    • Accession Number:
      PMC10865500
    • Accession Number:
      10.3389/fpubh.2024.1335751
    • Accession Number:
      38356946