Caixin

China Revises Infectious Disease Law to Better Protect Individual Rights

Published: May. 7, 2025  5:12 p.m.  GMT+8
00:00
00:00/00:00
Listen to this article 1x
Photo: VCG
Photo: VCG

China’s top legislature has approved a revised law on infectious disease prevention and control, aimed at bolstering the nation’s public health defenses while seeking to better protect individual rights during outbreaks. The updated law will take effect on Sept. 1.

The National People’s Congress (NPC) voted to pass the amendments to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Law on April 30. The law was first enacted in 1989 and had been revised twice in 2004 and 2013 respectively.

loadingImg
You've accessed an article available only to subscribers
VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article
Open WeChat and scan the QR code
DIGEST HUB
Digest Hub Back
Explore the story in 30 seconds
  • China’s revised Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Law, effective September 1, strengthens disease surveillance, data sharing, and protection of individual rights during outbreaks.
  • The law mandates reporting deadlines, rewards prompt reporting of unknown diseases, exempts inaccurate reporters from liability, and ensures appeals for rights infringement; personal data protection is emphasized.
  • Hospitals must enhance infectious disease capabilities; integration of treatment and prevention is promoted, but critics note unclear standards for official accountability.
AI generated, for reference only
Subscribe to unlock Digest Hub
SUBSCRIBE NOW
NEWSLETTERS
Get our CX Daily, weekly Must-Read and China Green Bulletin newsletters delivered free to your inbox, bringing you China's top headlines.

We ‘ve added you to our subscriber list.

Manage subscription
PODCAST