PUBLISHED DECISION GUIDE
China's Role in Global Health: WHO Regional Director's Perspective
WHO Western Pacific Regional Director Saia Ma'u Piukala discusses China's healthcare investment and alignment with global health goals.
In a recent interview with Xinhua, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Saia Ma'u Piukala, highlighted China's significant role in tackling global health challenges and the importance of multilateral cooperation.
Independently written English guidance based on cited public sources. Every public guide is human reviewed; it is not an official translation of the source publisher.
China's Healthcare Investment
Piukala emphasized that in China, healthcare is viewed as an investment rather than a fiscal outlay. He noted that after visiting communities across the country, he was impressed by China's progress in tackling chronic diseases and its growing use of digital technologies in health monitoring and clinical research.
Expansion of Healthcare Coverage
China has continued to expand its healthcare system, with basic medical insurance now covering more than 95 percent of the population. The average life expectancy in China reached 79.25 years in 2025. The country has also strengthened disease surveillance, public health infrastructure, and primary-level healthcare services.
Alignment with WHO Strategic Objectives
Piukala noted that China's efforts are closely aligned with WHO's broader strategic objectives, such as addressing the root causes of poor health and advancing primary healthcare. He also highlighted that China's 15th Five-Year Plan places public health high on the policy agenda, with a focus on grassroots healthcare and technological innovation.
Public sources
Editorial process
Editorial review and corrections
This guide received human editorial review. Use its public sources and review date to assess the current information boundary.
Request an editorial correction