Shared Security, Shared Responsibility

China has provided emergency assistance including medical supplies such as test reagents, face masks and protective suits to more than 120 countries and international organizations to combat the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It has also sent medical expert teams to and held technical exchanges via video calls with over 100 countries and regions.

COVID-19 is a global challenge. China’s precious experience in containing the disease as well as its production capacity for medical supplies will help the international community win the battle against the virus. In addition, China has provided its epidemic control and medical plans for governments and citizens across the globe in an open and transparent way.

Chinese people believe that the entire human society is one big family and all human beings, with a shared future, live in a global village. Both combating the virus at home and assisting the antiepidemic fight in other countries and regions are contributing to global public health security. In response to the serious threat brought by the virus, we call on the international community to win the battle by coming together. As all leaders at the recently held extraordinary Group of 20 summit agreed, no country can respond to the challenges alone in the face of the outbreak, and global action, solidarity and international cooperation are more than ever necessary to address the pandemic.

When COVID-19 broke out in China, the international community provided assistance to China; when the virus has been brought under control in China but spreading rapidly across the globe, China’s assistance to other countries and regions can be described by this line of an ancient poem: You throw a peach to me, I give you a white jade for friendship.

We also firmly believe that true gold can stand the test of fire and adversity reveals true friendship. While fully ensuring domestic needs, China will provide other countries and regions with assistance within its capacity. Chinese companies are working at full steam to produce more medical supplies for the rest of the world.

In the face of COVID-19, some in the West have stigmatized China and described China’s assistance as an effort to expand its geopolitical influence. These unfounded accusations have undermined international efforts to fight the virus.

China’s assistance demonstrates it is willing to shoulder responsibility as a major country, which will inject confidence and strength into international anti-epidemic cooperation. China is focused not on greater overseas clout, but on how to beat the virus and save more lives.