| Document and Entity Information | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2019shares | |
| Document Type | 20-F/A |
| Document Registration Statement | false |
| Document Annual Report | true |
| Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2019 |
| Document Transition Report | false |
| Document Shell Company Report | false |
| Entity File Number | 001-37710 |
| Entity Registrant Name | Hutchison China Meditech LIMITED |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | E9 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 48th Floor, Cheung Kong Center |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 2 Queen’s Road Central |
| Entity Address, Country | HK |
| Title of 12(b) Security | American depositary shares, each representing five ordinary shares, par value $0.10 per share |
| Trading Symbol | HCM |
| Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ |
| Entity Ordinary Shares, Outstanding | 666,906,450 |
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes |
| Entity Voluntary Filers | No |
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes |
| Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes |
| Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Document Accounting Standard | U.S. GAAP |
| Entity Shell Company | false |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001648257 |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 |
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2019 |
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Business contact | |
| Contact Personnel Name | Christian Hogg |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | Level 18, The Metropolis Tower |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | 10 Metropolis Drive |
| Entity Address, Address Line Three | Hunghom |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Kowloon |
| Entity Address, Country | HK |
| City Area Code | 852 |
| Local Phone Number | 2121 8200 |
| Contact Personnel Fax Number | 852 2121 8281 |
