Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical)(USD ($))	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Depreciation of land-use rights and amortization of licenses, excluded from cost of sales	$ 250,623	$ 290,526	$ 546,623
Research and development expenses, government research grants	125,222	686,258	43,278
Interest and financing expenses, government grants	$ 1,458,280	$ 595,883	$ 147,520

Represents the interest subsidy received by the entity per the government grant agreements, which is recorded as a reduction to interest and financing expenses.

No definition available.

Name:	sva_InterestAndFinancingExpensesGovernmentGrants
Namespace Prefix:	sva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration