Emerging infectious diseases significantly threaten global health in contemporary times [1].The World Health Organization (WHO) publication Prioritizing Diseases for Research and Development in Emergency Contexts lists the most serious infectious diseases currently endangering humanity.Among them is Disease X, signifying the potential risk of a severe international epidemic caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease [2].Since the public health emergency of international concern system was incorporated into the International Health Regulations in 2005, seven declarations of Public Health Emergency of International Concern have been declared as of 2022.Notably, three of these declarations resulted from emerging infectious diseases (although this count may be influenced by inconsistent criteria for defining emerging infectious diseases).These include the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, Ebola haemorrhagic fever, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).The global impact of COVID-19, the emergence of pneumococcal pneumonia, and its aftermath have instilled fear, concern, and anxiety across the globe [3].Above all, it underscored the urgent need to fortify the regulation and management of emerging infectious disease risks within the global public health governance framework.In late December 2019, a previously unidentified coronavirus surfaced in Wuhan, China, triggering a devastating outbreak that rapidly spread to numerous Chinese cities and subsequently worldwide [4].The initial outbreak of COVID-19 in China served as a litmus test for the efficacy of the nation's infectious disease control system, developed in response to the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.China's response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 presents a case study encompassing legal frameworks, administrative mechanisms, and governance.This narrative shares similarities with other nations while exhibiting distinctive characteristics unique to China.Subsequently, China plans to amend the Law of Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases to rectify deficiencies observed in the practical application of COVID-19 prevention and control measures.This initiative aims to distil valuable experiences and institutionalise them into law, enhancing the nation's preparedness to combat future outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases effectively.These legislative measures should serve as a blueprint for China's future response to newly emerging infectious diseases, offering valuable insights and templates for the legal handling global public health emergencies.