Borrowing the Hong Kong Identity for Chinese Diplomacy: Implications of Margaret Chan's World Health Organization Election Campaign

China's Engagement with Global Health Diplomacy: Was SARS a Watershed?

“…Chan was the Director of Health of Hong Kong during the SARS outbreak in 2003. Her nomination could be seen as a case of China's smart play and rising clout at the global stage, displaying its confidence in her managing of Hong Kong affairs and the successful implementation of China's`O ne Country, Two Systems'' policy [23]. Furthermore, China's WHO role politically could be regarded as a pre-emptive measure to block Taiwan's attempts to seek WHO membership [23].…”

“…Her nomination could be seen as a case of China's smart play and rising clout at the global stage, displaying its confidence in her managing of Hong Kong affairs and the successful implementation of China's`O ne Country, Two Systems'' policy [23]. Furthermore, China's WHO role politically could be regarded as a pre-emptive measure to block Taiwan's attempts to seek WHO membership [23]. On the other hand, with improved relations with the Ma Ying-jeou administration in Taiwan, China has become more flexible in seeking crossstrait cooperation in health.…”

China's Engagement with Global Health Diplomacy: Was SARS a Watershed?

“…Chan was the Director of Health of Hong Kong during the SARS outbreak in 2003. Her nomination could be seen as a case of China's smart play and rising clout at the global stage, displaying its confidence in her managing of Hong Kong affairs and the successful implementation of China's “One Country, Two Systems” policy [23] .…”

“…Furthermore, China's WHO role politically could be regarded as a pre-emptive measure to block Taiwan's attempts to seek WHO membership [23] . On the other hand, with improved relations with the Ma Ying-jeou administration in Taiwan, China has become more flexible in seeking cross-strait cooperation in health.…”

From SARS to Avian Influenza: The Role of International Factors in China's Approach to Infectious Disease Control

“…In April 2003, Premier Wen Jiabao explicitly linked China's newly aggressive response to SARS to China's reputation as a responsible state. 30 Since 2004, the ruling CCP has adopted a succession of terms to portray China as a responsible rising state, including Zheng Bijan's "peaceful rise" (heping jueqi) theory, later replaced by the softer "peaceful development." 31 These terms were developed to counter the "China threat theory" 9,31 and assuage fears of China becoming more aggressive as it gained economic resources and political power.…”