A growing health partnership between China and South Africa

Over decades, China and South Africa have built a deep and resilient partnership in public health, one grounded in long-term medical aid, pandemic solidarity and the exchange of traditional medicine. The collaboration reflects not only strategic cooperation between two major developing countries but also a shared, human-centered commitment to strengthening health systems and saving lives.

Chinese medical teams have been stationed in South Africa over the years, sending doctors, nurses and public-health specialists to underserved regions. These teams provide clinical services, disease prevention support, maternal and child healthcare, and community outreach, including education on traditional medicine. According to the Belt and Road Portal, China's overseas medical teams remain one of the most enduring pillars of China–Africa cooperation, helping lay the foundation for a China–Africa health community.

China is also playing an increasingly active role in global health governance. To help South Africa combat HIV/AIDS, China, through the China Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, recently announced a two-year funding commitment of $3.49 million. The agreement, unveiled at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, comes at a critical time: South Africa has around 8 million people living with HIV, with nearly 6 million on antiretroviral therapy. The new investment has been welcomed amid global funding cuts, particularly as infections among adolescents and young adults remain a key challenge.

Cooperation has also expanded in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Since TCM was officially incorporated into South Africa's medical system after 2011, treatments provided at TCM clinics have been eligible for medical insurance coverage. In recent years, the two countries have jointly established several TCM centers that not only conduct research and train local talent but also host cultural exhibitions that highlight synergies between Chinese and African traditional healing practices.

As the 2025 G20 Summit prepares to convene in Africa for the first time, global attention is turning to the continent's most urgent development priorities, healthcare chief among them. The longstanding medical cooperation between China and South Africa offers a clear example of how Global South partnerships can contribute to stronger, more resilient health systems, while showcasing Africa's growing role in shaping the global health agenda.