Participatory governance in public health emergencies: A case study of Quanzhou from a legal perspective

During public health emergencies, the work of prevention and control must be normalised, and coordination between economic development and epidemic prevention is crucial. However, in China, there is a lack of research on participatory governance in public health emergencies, particularly from a legal perspective. Existing studies are insufficient in terms of using legal texts and exploring legal governance in a normative sense, and there is an inadequate in-depth exploration of issues such as the legitimacy, path, motivation, and other aspects of participation. This article addresses these gaps by analysing the issues of participatory governance in public health emergencies from a legal perspective, using practical cases as examples. The research has shown that there are significant differences among the three types of organisations regarding their internal motivation, external incentives, and legal basis, and therefore it is necessary to distinguish different participation paths. Finally, we propose several measures to promote the active and sustained participation of organisation in governance, including cultivating the ability of organisations, emphasising organizational demands, seeking consensus, strengthening the guiding role of legislation, and broadening the channels of engagement. Participatory governance in public health emergencies is a process in which various types of organisations can actively participate in governance while receiving legal protection.It might be helpful to develop a concrete path for participatory governance that considers the rule of law perspective.The incentive factors for various organisations to participate in governance are different, public organisations have a legal responsibility, private organisations are based on social responsibility and market promotion, and the third sector pursues regulatory convenience and social support.The rule of law is crucial for the long-term governance of public health emergencies and should be adopted to ensure sustainability and innovation.