N While China has embraced multilateral cooperation in a wide array of global health issues, its engagement remains``state centric'' and therefore leaders attach primary significance to intergovernmental organizations, particularly the UN agencies. SARS outbreak and its aspiration to be seen and respected as``a responsible state'' have pushed China to enhance its cooperation with international institutions in dealing with other pressing health issues [12] . as well as non-governmental organizations inside the country to combat the disease. However, while Beijing calls for and welcomes involvement of multiple actors in combating the disease inside its territory, it maintains little tolerance of anyone or any activity that would attenuate its absolute control over the country or threaten the supreme authority of the government. A major feature of China's multilateral public health engagement, then, is that of``state-led health governance.''