President Xi Jinping Makes Statement at the Virtual Event of the Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly

On the evening of May 18, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech titled “Fighting COVID-19 Through Solidarity and Cooperation, Building a Global Community of Health for All” at the virtual event of the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly.

President Xi noted that in fighting against COVID-19, China has been putting the people first. All along, China has acted with openness, transparency, and responsibility.

Xi pointed out that there should be greater support for Africa, and more efforts to strengthen global governance in the area of public health, restore economic and social development, and enhance international cooperation. On behalf of China, he announced five measures to boost international cooperation against COVID-19 and called on all parties to come together and work as one to build a global community of health for all:

China will provide US $2 billion over two years to help with the COVID-19 response and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries. China will work with the UN to set up a global humanitarian response depot and hub in China, ensure the operation of anti-epidemic supply chains, and foster “green corridors” for fast-track transportation and customs clearance. China will establish a cooperation mechanism for its hospitals to pair up with 30 African hospitals and accelerate the building of the Africa CDC headquarters to help the continent ramp up its disease preparedness and control capacity. COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good. China will also work with other G20 members to implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative for the poorest countries.

In their statements, the UN Secretary General and other world leaders all expressed their support for multilateralism, for the WHO, and for greater international coordination and cooperation to fight the disease.