Compliance challenges and China′s responses to the Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) and the Pandemic Agreement

The International Health Regulations (2005) aim to prevent, protect against, and control the international spread of diseases while avoiding unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. The Pandemic Agreement is grounded in the principle of equity and establishes an institutional framework for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Functionally complementary, the two instruments together establish a two-tiered legal framework for global health governance. However, their actual effectiveness is highly dependent on domestic implementation by States Parties. Currently, in fulfilling its relevant international obligations, China faces three main structural challenges: inadequate domestic legal articulation, insufficient supporting capacities for compliance, and the deficiency of a systematic mechanism for translating international norms into domestic practice. Looking ahead, efforts should take the revision of the International Health Regulations (2005) and the formulation of the Pandemic Agreement as an opportunity to coordinate domestic regulations, capacity-building, and international cooperation. While improving its domestic health governance system, China will actively participate in building a just, equitable, open, and inclusive global health governance order.