China and global health.

摘要

China is the world's oldest continuous civilization. During the past 30 years, the country has emerged as a strong and confident global partner. At home, China has experienced unprecedented material improvements, doubling its gross domestic product per capita, for example, between 2002 and 2006. What are the major challenges for the health of the Chinese people? What are the implications for global health? The authors of the papers in this special issue of The Lancet on China's health system were invited to address these questions as China's global engagement continues to expand in the opening decade of the 21st century.