China has enacted a new law to regulate the response to public health emergencies and enhance the country's capacity to address such situations according to news agency Xinhua.
The new law on public health emergency response consists of 65 articles in eight chapters and was adopted at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, in September 2025. The new law spells out the establishment of a tiered emergency response mechanism for public health emergencies.
The law specifies the establishment and improvement of an authoritative and efficient monitoring and early warning system featuring multiple sources and rapid response for public health emergencies.
The law stipulates that medical and health institutions, as well as their staff performing duties, shall report the occurrence or potential occurrence of public health emergencies through the online direct reporting system within two hours.
Any individual or group that discovers the occurrence or potential occurrence of a public health emergency should report their discovery immediately to local government, relevant departments, or the disease prevention and control institution according to the new law.
It adds that units and individuals whose reports, upon verification, do not fall under the category of public health emergencies will not be held legally accountable. The new law will take effect from 1 November 2025.