Shared Answers for Shared Problems

Time to put in global efforts to contain COVID-19

- Wen Qing & Li Xiaoyu

While the situation of the COVID-19 epidemic in China is under control currently, the disease has become a pandemic, erupting in more than 150 countries and regions, from Europe to the Middle East to Africa. By March 18, 35 countries had declared a state of emergency, heightening the need for the international community to work together to defeat the disease.

A community of shared future

“The outbreak is a test of our solidarity political, financial and scientific,” World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “We need to come together to fight a common enemy that does not respect borders, ensure that we have the resources necessary to bring this outbreak to an end, and bring our best science to the forefront to find shared answers to shared problems.”

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on March 18 that China will provide assistance within its capacity to countries in need to fight COVID-19.

Europe has become the new epicenter of the disease with Italy reporting the second highest number of confirmed cases after China by March 18. Spain and France also have been among the worst-hit in Europe.

China has sent three experienced medical teams to Italy along with medical supplies as of March 25. Some of the medical personnel had worked in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, and have a wealth of experience and understanding of the virus.

In the Middle East, Iran is the most severely affected. Long conflicts and political turmoil have generally weakened the medical systems of the country.