Long-term Inventories - Schedule of Long-Term Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 90	$ 0

Inventory finished goods net of reserves non current

No definition available.

Name:	sva_InventoryFinishedGoodsNetOfReservesNonCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	sva_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant