The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has abandoned its previous restraint and is now actively shaping the global order of the 21st century. China has shifted the logic underlying its foreign and security policy with a view to its increased political and economic power, thereby reprioritizing a variety of strategic interests. Beijing’s health diplomacy is a crucial piece of the strategy to reform the international order and build international coalitions.

This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of China’s health cooperation efforts, illustrating how the Chinese leadership has utilized health diplomacy to generate soft power. The author, Dr. Moritz Rudolf, shows that Beijing’s health diplomacy did not develop overnight. By sending medical teams to specific regions, Chinese provinces have cultivated close relationships with individual countries for decades. Further the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst and accelerator for Beijing’s efforts to extend regional health cooperation.

Dr. Rudolf concludes that decision-makers in Brussels and Berlin should be aware of the long-term effects of Chinese aid to developing countries. This analysis closes with a series of proposals for how Europe can better counter China in the field of global health policy. These recommendations address setting priorities vis-a-vis third countries so as to be perceived a reliable partner on health issues.