SCIO briefing on the cooperation between China and the int'l community in fighting COVID-19
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 28, 2020
Financial Times:
We have noticed that there are some arguments and frictions between China and the U.S. about the COVID-19 outbreak. I want to know what you think of such escalating disputes. Are these disputes going to affect international cooperation in the fight against the epidemic? How are the U.S. and China currently cooperating? How would you rate the current exchanges and cooperation between China and the U.S.? Thank you.
Luo Zhaohui:
Thank you for your questions. The international cooperation in response to COVID-19 has been smoothly carried out in general. You mentioned specifically about the China-U.S. cooperation, which has been underway in a practical manner. When China was in the most severe phase of the outbreak, U.S. companies, civil society organizations, and oversea Chinese people and communities all provided much support and help to China. The U.S. leadership also publicly praised China's epidemic prevention and control work and China-U.S. cooperation on many occasions. As you mentioned, some U.S. politicians recently stigmatized China, carried out inappropriate actions and made improper statements. These actions have indeed impaired China-U.S. epidemic cooperation and also harmed China-U.S. relations. This is not what we wanted to see. These slanderous statements and actions have harmed our interests and outraged the Chinese people. So, China will certainly be making necessary responses.
As a matter of fact, the source of COVID-19 is a scientific issue. We need to listen to professional and scientific opinions. The WHO has stressed many times that linking viruses to specific races, skin colors or geographical areas should be avoided. This is also the international consensus. Since the outbreak started, China has implemented the most comprehensive, strictest and most thorough prevention and control measures in a timely manner. China has made huge sacrifices and contributions to uphold global public health security and to safeguard the health and safety of all mankind. Everyone should still remember that on Jan. 23 we made the decision to lock down the entire city of Wuhan. This decision was not easy at all back then, but as we see it now, it was quite a right decision. Wuhan, Hubei and the Chinese people have all made sacrifices and put in considerable effort to buy time for the world to respond. We gained experience in fighting against the epidemic and our efforts are recognized.
Maintaining the sound and stable development of China-U.S. ties not only benefits the people of the two countries, but also meets the expectations of the world. We urge the U.S. to work together with China on the basis of mutual respect, managing our differences and expanding mutual beneficial cooperation. We should work together to boost China-U.S. relations based on coordination, cooperation and stability.
We hope that we can work together with countries around the world including the U.S. to jointly fight against the epidemic. A global issue needs a global cooperative response. China and the U.S. are global leaders for the research and development of COVID-19 related medicines. Our cooperation will benefit not only each other, but all countries and mankind. Thank you, that is my answer to your questions on China-U.S. cooperation on fighting the epidemic.
Deng Boqing:
I would like to add a few words. Viruses are a common threat for the whole of humanity and cherishing life is the common value for all of humanity. The COVID-19 epidemic is a touchstone. It reveals both the bright and dark sides of humanity. It is worth putting in all our efforts to save lives. We have seen that, since the COVID-19 outbreak, many U.S. businesses, civil society organizations and individuals have actively provided support for China. We're thankful for all of these actions. We also have seen that, while the epidemic spreads in the U.S., many Chinese companies, NGOs and local authorities are providing help. Faced with the epidemic, the international community including China and the U.S. should collaborate and jointly respond to uphold global public health security and safeguard the interests and well-being of all mankind. Thank you.
