FM’s Germany trip to boost global trust

► China will prevail over epidemic at early date: minister

Chinese analysts said on Friday the visit of China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Germany, the first overseas trip by a senior Chinese official since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, will let the world see China’s efforts against the virus, boost international confidence in China and stress the significance of international collaboration in tackling a global public health issue, as some countries acted out of political motives to smear China’s efforts.

China has the confidence and ability to prevail over the epidemic at an early date, Wang said during the fifth round of the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Berlin on Thursday.

Except for Hubei Province, the total number of new confirmed cases in other parts of China has been dropping for 10 consecutive days as of Thursday, with the recovery rate continuing to rise.

Maas indicated that Germany firmly supports China in its fight against the virus and admires the decisive and responsible measures taken by the Chinese government. Germany opposes any irrational reactions and discriminatory measures against the epidemic. Germany is ready to continue its support and assistance to China, Maas said.

Besides the dialogue, Wang is scheduled to attend the 56th Munich Security Conference (MSC) until Saturday.

A panel discussion on global health security will be held at this year’s MSC, and Wang will also deliver a keynote speech to talk about the Chinese government and people’s concerted efforts and progress in fighting the epidemic, and on advancing international cooperation against it. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), is set to address the panel on the outbreak of the virus.

China’s response to the coronavirus epidemic has been transparent, sharing information with other countries and international organizations like the WHO, Chinese experts said.

Wang’s speech will be conducive to easing the concerns of some countries on China’s response to the epidemic and significant to the overall victory of human beings in fighting the virus, said Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University.

Some countries like the US, out of political purposes in strategic competition with China, have been speaking louder than acting in cooperation with

China on combating the virus, and using other issues, including Taiwan, to attack the Chinese government’s governance and efforts, Li said. They are attempting to marginalize China globally, Li said. “However, the virus does not recognize countries, religions or culture. It’s just like the climate issue: If countries do not cooperate, everyone will suffer,” Li said.

International society could cooperate with China on developing vaccines against the virus, clinical treatment of patients as well as other research on the virus, experts said.

While the US denied entry to foreigners who recently visited China due to the outbreak of the epidemic, ambassadors from many countries, including Nepal, Myanmar, Iran and Pakistan told the Global Times that they acknowledged China’s efforts to contain the virus and said there is no need to take excessive measures.