ABSTRACT
Many analysts of global health governance lament China’s reluctance to take a stronger leadership and financial role within the system. China’s actions could be perceived as recognition that working with World Health Organization is the best way to help craft the norms and values underlying global health governance. Despite its increasing prominence in international relations, health diplomacy frequently gets defined in different ways by different audiences. During the 1970s and 1980s, Chinese health diplomacy in Africa became less prominent. China has focused on the development of the health care infrastructure in receiving states. The importance of understanding the reasons for China’s health diplomacy engagement relate to its continuing and future engagement. China’s engagement with global health governance is evolving. China’s health diplomacy in Africa has concentrated primarily on supporting infrastructure, human resources, providing supplies and drugs, and working on anti-malaria efforts.
