Political parties support mutual COVID-19 battle

Countries should take resolute and forceful measures, support each other and pool global resources to overcome the novel coronavirus pandemic, according to a joint open letter released on Thursday by political parties around the world.

The letter was endorsed by more than 230 political parties with different political views, including the Communist Party of China, according to the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

They are from more than 100 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Oceania.

The pandemic poses “the most urgent and serious challenge” to human health and world peace and development, and countries should strengthen cooperation to fight it, the letter said.

Countries should enhance the consciousness that the future is shared by all mankind, the parties said, encouraging them to unleash the power of all social sectors to contain the pandemic.

They should also coordinate their macroeconomic policies to prevent a global economic recession and maintain a stable supply chain, the letter said.

China and some other nations have made significant progress in battling COVID-19, gaining time and providing experience for others, they said, expressing their approval of China’s “open, transparent and responsible attitude”.

The parties also stressed the need for science-based and professional discussions of issues such as the origin of the virus, and voiced strong opposition to the politicization of public health issues and the stigmatization of other countries.

They said they stand firmly against all discriminatory comments and practices against any country, region or ethnic group, and call on all governments to take proactive measures to protect the health, safety and legitimate interests of foreign nationals and students they host.

Calling for assistance to developing countries and those with weaker public health systems, the parties said they support stronger sharing of experience and medical cooperation.

Also, countries should support the United Nations and the World Health Organization in the global governance of public health, and strengthen cooperation within the Group of 20 and other international mechanisms to jointly contain the disease, the letter says.