Professor Yusufu Ali Zoaka- President of Nigeria Chinese Studies Initiative / Abuja- Nigeria
China’s decision to dispatch a team of medical experts to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to support efforts against the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak is a commendable demonstration of international solidarity and humanitarian cooperation. At a time when infectious disease outbreaks continue to pose significant threats to public health and socioeconomic stability across Africa, such timely assistance reflects China’s commitment to strengthening global health governance and supporting African nations in times of crisis. Beyond the provision of medical expertise, the gesture symbolizes a deepening partnership between China and the DRC, founded on mutual respect, shared development aspirations, and a common commitment to safeguarding human lives. It also reinforces the principle that global health challenges require collective responses that transcend national borders.
Furthermore, the deployment of Chinese medical professionals highlights the growing importance of South-South cooperation in addressing pressing developmental and health challenges. China’s experience in managing public health emergencies, combined with its longstanding engagement in Africa’s health sector, provides valuable technical support that can enhance the DRC’s capacity to contain and prevent the spread of Ebola. This intervention not only contributes to immediate outbreak response efforts but also promotes knowledge transfer, capacity building, and stronger health systems resilience for the future. Such actions exemplify the spirit of a shared future for humanity, where nations work together to confront common threats and advance the well-being of their populations through cooperation, partnership, and mutual assistance.
Tufária Mussá- Assistant Professor of Microbiology (Virology and Immunology) at Faculty of Medicine, Eduardo Mondlane University-Mozambique. Deputy Director for Research and Extension
The Chinese decision to send medical experts to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the latest Ebola outbreak is significant not only as a humanitarian response but also as part of its broader engagement with Africa. The initiative illustrates how health cooperation has become an important dimension of China's relationship with African countries, alongside trade, investment, and infrastructure development. For many years, Beijing has supported African health systems through medical teams, hospital construction, training programs, and public health assistance.
In this context, the rapid deployment of experts to the DRC reinforces China's image as a partner willing to respond during times of crisis. It also demonstrates that Chinese involvement in Africa extends beyond economic interests and includes areas directly linked to human security and development. The mission may also strengthen China's standing across the continent. Health assistance is often perceived as a practical and less politically sensitive form of international cooperation. By contributing expertise during a public health emergency, China can build goodwill and deepen relationships with African governments that are increasingly seeking a wider range of international partners.
At the same time, the response is consistent with China's long-standing emphasis on South-South cooperation. Chinese officials frequently frame relations with Africa as cooperation among developing countries facing similar development challenges. Providing support during an Ebola outbreak gives concrete expression to that narrative. Strategic considerations are also relevant. Infectious disease outbreaks can threaten economic activity and regional stability, making public health an issue of both domestic and international concern. For China, stability in the DRC is particularly important given its extensive investments in the country's mining sector and broader economic interests. The deployment of Chinese medical experts therefore serves multiple purposes. It addresses an immediate public health challenge while reinforcing China's diplomatic presence and long-term partnerships in Africa. In doing so, it highlights the growing role of health cooperation as a tool of international engagement and influence.
Shaktee Ramtohul- Business Consultant and Lecturer in Finance / Mauritius
The Chinese medical team deployed to DR Congo shows exemplary leadership in an attempt to contain an expanding Ebola outbreak. The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”. The Chinese medical team shall undoubtedly draw on their experience in Epidemiology as well as emergency health responses and work in close collaboration with the local authorities and communities.
It is worth noting that China has made similar contributions during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa that ended the spread of the disease. The previous assistance as well as the current one are certainly helping the international efforts in delivering much needed medical help to the affected locations in DR Congo. Of note, there has been confirmation that the Ebola outbreak has reached neighbouring country Uganda. Therefore, the current medical assistance comes at crucial time as further outbreaks will affect local movement to and from Dr Congo.
China is showing once again that it values its partnership with the African continent and this move shall further solidify health diplomacy as well as help protect Chinese and African nationals working in and around the reserves of gold and critical minerals. The medical team is believed to use its vast array of expertise in both western medicine as well as Chinese traditional medicines. While we continue to witness and era of geopolitical conflicts across several regions, namely, Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran, to name a few, we can only be appreciative of the efforts being made by China to strengthen ties between nations and its endeavour to rely on its medical expertise and diplomatic relations to save lives. The African continent is undoubtedly uniting to offer its well wishes to the Chinese medical team and DR Congo as well as all regions on the African continent which have been affected by the Ebola outbreak.
Ina Stašević- Assistant-Professor., MSc, PhD, Journalist, Croatia
The arrival of a Chinese medical team in Kinshasa on June 2nd, 2026, in the midst of the 17th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, can be seen as an act that has both humanitarian and geopolitical dimensions. In a symbolic sense, this gesture sends a message of solidarity at a time when the country is facing a serious public health threat. Ebola outbreaks often affect health systems that are already burdened with limited resources, so international assistance can have significant measurable economic and psychological value.
Over the past decades, China has developed extensive health cooperation with African countries. Sending experts to the DRC continues the tradition of medical diplomacy that China uses as an important instrument of its foreign policy. Such missions not only provide expert medical assistance in infection control, but also strengthen the perception of China as a reliable partner ready to act even in crisis situations. On the other hand, the symbolism of this move goes beyond the field of health. The DRC is a country rich in natural resources and an important export market for Chinese infrastructure projects in Africa. Some observers will therefore interpret this aid as an investment in long-term political and economic relations.
For the DRC population, the most important criterion will be the ability to protect and stop the spread of this deadly infectious disease. If Chinese experts help in the early detection of cases, training local medical staff and the population in combating the spread of the virus, the symbolic gesture will take on real meaning. In that case, the presence of the Chinese team can serve as an example of how international cooperation contributes to global health security.
Therefore, this move can be seen as a combination of humanitarian responsibility, health diplomacy and strategic partnership. Its true value will not be measured only by political messages, but also by the impact it has on protecting the lives and health of people affected by the Ebola epidemic. Especially considering the fact that the financial support of the United States of America to the World Health Organization teams has been drastically reduced, which has led to the cancellation of many of the organization's activities.
Adama COULIBALY - Executive Director of the China-Burkina Faso Independent Research Center (CRI-CB) / Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
The People's Republic of China remains committed to its cooperative relationship with Africa. This commitment dates back to 1956, following the landmark Bandung Conference in Indonesia. The Middle Kingdom has demonstrated its friendship with the African continent for nearly 70 years. The African continent witnessed the proof of this friendship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, during this devastating pandemic, China provided masks, thermometers, gloves, and reagents to effectively combat COVID-19, not to mention the massive influx of Chinese doctors to share their expertise with African physicians.
It is also China that is assisting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in combating the 17th Ebola outbreak. While some countries are closing their borders to citizens of the DRC, China is arriving in the DRC to offer its support to a struggling country in the Global South. Thank you to the Chinese government and people for this show of solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Africa. The 15th Chinese Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) is off to a very promising start in terms of health cooperation with Africa.
Emmanuel MAYÉGA - Chairman of the Advisory Council of the African Journalists' Caucus for the Global South Community Destiny
In my humble opinion, China is taking this alternative path, one that international players are ignoring, rejecting the score of international harmony. What am I saying?! It's about selfless mutual aid in a Global South severely weakened by a disease—in this case, Ebola—whose origins are curiously difficult to trace. In the West, on a continent where Pasteur wholeheartedly and rightly supported the end of spontaneous generation, this support is nowhere to be seen. So much so that it no longer seems incongruous to ask who is behind this bacteriological warfare, more devastating than Covid-19. In short, we quickly forget that this same West accused Africa of being the origin of the AIDS pandemic, which, according to the most powerful figures, is transmitted only through monkeys. As far as I can remember, I didn't know that Black men mated with monkeys! Good heavens! I'm well aware that China and the Chinese have utterly surpassed them in terms of achievements in Africa—they who, incidentally, supposedly arrived on the continent to civilize us! Civilization, we've seen what that has cost us... Theft, looting, homosexuality, the CFA franc—all seem to be the remnants of their sorry passage through Africa. And as a bonus, democracy!
We really need to take stock, even if it's brief, of the West's presence in Africa. The Age of Aquarius, arriving with its share of demands, including transparency as the primary value of this generation, is determined to be uncompromising! As journalists, and therefore at the forefront of this manipulation, through a narrative resolutely aimed at deconstructing the idea of Africa without Africans, I urge us to focus on the reality of an Africa besieged by white-collar predators—follow my gaze! Undoubtedly, the Ebola narrative will change as soon as we African journalists fully embrace the challenges of an engaged African press, a path on which China is excelling through its commitment to building a Community of Shared Future, the watchword of which remains respect for the identity of every people, be it large, medium, or small! Who dared to speak of multilateralism?!
Interview by Héribert-Label Élisée ADJOVI 🇧🇯