China's Health Diplomacy in Africa

 The China-Africa Security Radar posted on 19 June 2026 an article titled "China's Health Diplomacy in Africa: Health Security, Infrastructure, and Strategic Competition" by Lungani Hlongwa.  

A small team of Chinese health experts has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo to help the country combat the Ebola outbreak.  This is part of China's long standing health diplomacy in Africa, which follows familiar patterns as the United States cuts back its health care assistance and alters its approach.

China Sends Medical Team to Fight Ebola in DRC

 The South China Morning Post published on 7 June 2026 an article titled "Chinese Medical Team Arrives in DR Congo to Help Fight Ebola, 'Filing US Void'" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

China sent a small medical team to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it has significant interests in critical minerals, to combat the outbreak of Ebola.  It is not clear, however, whether the effort will match the extensive contribution it made to combatting Ebola in West Africa in 2014-2016.  

China-gifted ECOWAS Headquarters about to Open

 Eurasia Review posted on 6 January 2026 an article titled "New ECOWAS Headquarters: China Continues Sharing Unique Diplomacy with Africa" by Kester Kenn Klomegah.

China will hand over the new $32 million Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) headquarters building during January.  This is one of many Chinese gifts of prestigious buildings to African governments in order to build influence and goodwill.  

US Aid Reductions Endanger African Health Care

 The Associated Press published on 13 March 2025 an article titled "US Aid Cuts Are Hurting Africa's Ability to Respond to Disease Outbreaks" by Rodney Muhumuza.

The Director General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jean Kaseya, said recent cuts in US foreign aid are hurting Africa's capacity to respond to disease outbreaks such as Ebola and mpox and are leaving health systems in Africa in disarray.

Chinese and American Health Diplomacy in Africa

 The South China Morning Post published on 15 November 2023 an article titled "Chinese-funded Africa CDC Laboratory Opens in Ethiopia as Beijing Looks to Health Diplomacy to Boost Influence" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

China has added construction of a new laboratory for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Addis Ababa, but the United States continues to provide much of the funding for CDC programs in Africa.  

Is US-China Cooperation Possible on African Health Issues?

 The Hill published on 21 August 2022 a commentary titled "Can the US and China Cooperate on African Health Priorities?" by Georgia Nichols, Department of Education African languages fellow, and Mark C. Storella, Boston University and former US ambassador to Zambia.  

In spite of the tension in US-China relations, the authors argue that the US should leave the door open to China for cooperation on African health issues, especially the African Union's effort to develop an African Medicines Agency.