Participating in the Global Anti-Epidemic Cooperation is the Historical Responsibility of Our Country

Yu Hongjun,CPAPD Vice President and Former Deputy Minister of IDCPC

Because of the level of social development and the ability of organization and mobilization,some parts or groups in the world are often powerless when human society is attacked by large-scale infectious diseases or encounters unpredictable and irresistible natural disasters. Of course, it's natural to seek outside support and aid and perfectly justified for the outside force to help as much as possible. This is also in line with the inherent humanitarian nature and character of human society,and in line with the permanent call that we must work together in the face of imminent challenges.

The novel conoravirus is still spreading worldwide.Except for continuous improvement of China's overall situation of epidemic control,the situation of epidemic control in some countries, such as the United States and many countries of the European Union,as well as in a large number of developing countries such as Iran and so on, is quite grim, which has been generally recognized by the international community. Although individual countries and some force attempt to create a cold war atmosphere through the spread of the epidemic,or even attempt to guide the international anti-epidemic cooperation to a wrong path of confrontation and conflict between major countries, however, facing this formidable challenges, the health awareness and mainstream demands of human society for overcoming the difficulties and mutual assistance are still invincible in the end. The successful holding of the G20 Extraordinary Summit marks the accelerated formation of the pattern of common anti-epidemic efforts of various countries in the world.

As the host of this Summit, King Salman of Saudi Arabia makes it clear at the beginning that we must make an effective and coordinated response to the epidemic outbreak and restore confidence in the global economy. He calls on countries across the world, especially the participant countries, to provide more funds for the vaccine research and development, restore normal freight and services as soon as possible,and assist developing countries in fighting the epidemic outbreak. All parties concerned,including China, are aware that the G20 should send a strong signal and take corresponding actions to restore the normal circulation of goods and services, especially important medical supplies,as soon as possible.

In this regard, the Summit has made the following commitments: protecting lives,protecting people's work and income,maintaining financial stability and restoring growth, minimizing the interruption in trade and global supply chains, providing help to all countries in need, and coordinating public health and financial measures. The Summit solemnly has promised to take all necessary health measures to combat the epidemic,timely share all kinds of information and resources needed for research, and that all parties will inject at least US$ 5 trillion into the global economy,implement targeted financial policies,economic measures and guarantee plans, and offset the socio-economic and financial impact of the epidemic outbreak.

In the face of common disasters and challenges, the Chinese nation and the Chinese Government have always adhered to a constructive position of candid,open and active participation. Before and after the founding of New China in 1949, a plague broke out in Northeast China and North China, and people's lives and health were greatly threatened. Then,Mao Zedong personally sent a letter to the leaders of the Soviet Union, requesting for emergency medicine, vaccines and other prevention and control materials, as well as medical and health experts to provide guidance.This request was soon met, and the vicious spread of the epidemic was soon curbed.

In the decades since then, except for the failure to accept international assistance due to specific circumstances during the Tangshan earthquake in the 1970s,China has always been open to the international community about the causes of major incidents and related losses,and has received appropriate external assistance and support when circumstances require,carried out necessary relevant research with the international community, and shared the relevant experience and successful results. In the fight against SARS in 2003 and in the efforts for Wenchuan earthquake relief in 2018,the cooperation between the Chinese Government and the international community is not only very successful, but can also be praised as a typical example.

Similarly, it is precisely because of the long-term adherence to the fine tradition of the Chinese nation as an economic leader and the efforts to pursue the modern international political thinking of common future, no matter where countries in the world encounter difficulties or disasters,China will stand up and contribute generously.For half a century,China has insisted on sending tens of thousands of medical staff to form medical teams, running around in the African continent to save lives and cure injuries, and leaving behind permanent high-sounding stories in the world.In recent years, China has also actively cooperated with the WHO and joined hands with the United States and other countries with more experience in health and epidemic prevention to jointly fight against the Ebola virus that had ravaged Africa,and had written a new chapter in international cooperation against the epidemic outbreak. All these facts are obvious to all and is unnecessary to list them one by one.

Economically, although China is not developed yet, it has long enjoyed a good reputation of "benevolence" to developing countries in the world. In recent years, China has actively and extensively participated in international poverty reduction activities, and has grown into an important force to promote the poverty alleviation of the whole human society.When the Asian financial crisis erupted in 1998 and the international financial crisis broke out in 2008,China did its best to provide support to relevant countries and help them overcome difficulties. China's role and contribution, whether at that time or now, are well-known.

As the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak in Wuhan, China also has taken constructive actions to cooperate with international community for controlling the epidemic. First of all, China has unselectively and indiscriminately accepted the goodwill expressed and assistance provided in various ways by governments,international organizations, social groups, private enterprises and friendly people around the world, and has repeatedly expressed its sincere thanks.Secondly, China has actively cooperated with the WHO from the very beginning, timely informing it of the development of the epidemic situation and various measures taken by the Chinese government for this purpose,which has been highly recognized and appreciated by the WHO. Meantime, China has also briefed the U.S. government, which pays special attention to the epidemic, of relevant information in a timely manner and maintained appropriate exchanges and cooperation. Finally, it should be noted that China's epidemic prevention and control situation has just stabilized, it has started to provide substantive support and assistance to more than 80 countries, including Italy, Iran,South Korea, Japan, Brazil, and won the high praise of the WHO and the international community.

On the occasion of the G20 Extraordinary Summit, which is highly expected by the international community, President Xi Jinping,in line with the current situation of global epidemic spread and international cooperation, reiterates that China holds the concept of a community of a shared future for humankind and is ready to share with various countries the beneficial practices of the epidemic prevention and control.In this regard,he puts forward the following four key-points:we need to be resolute in fighting an all-out global war against the COVID-19 outbreak; to make a collective response for control and treatment at the international level; to support international organizations in playing their active roles; and to enhance international macro-economic policy coordination. These four key-points include a series of practical propositions, such as holding the G20 meeting of health ministers as early as possible,cooperation of drug vaccine research and development, epidemic prevention and control,and establishment of the most rigorous joint defense network, China's COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control network knowledge center is open to all countries, and the exploration of the establishment of regional public health emergency response mechanism,high level meeting on health security to be held at proper time, jointly maintaining the stability of global financial market and global industrial chain,supply chain,etc

On the same day, President Xi also replies to Tedros, Director-General of the WHO,stating to him:human kind is a community of a shared future. The international community should help each other and work together as in the same boat. We are ready to work with the World Health Organization and various countries to contribute to the maintenance of global public security. Since then, the international community has noticed that the Chinese Government and non-governmental organizations, including enterprises and individuals,have taken actions to provide more and more aid to foreign countries as well as more and more Chinese experts, scholars and medical personnel have flown to the front line of the international anti-epidemic efforts.

It is obvious that no matter how complicated the situation is and how arduous the struggle is, the Chinese Government and people have assumed their due responsibilities in the global anti-epidemic cooperation, and their will and determination to fulfill their corresponding missions are strengthened, and the aspirations of the Chinese nation to go with the rest of the world and keep pace with the times will not change slightly.