Unity and Cooperation Are the International Community's Most Potent Weapon to Overcome the Pandemic

I. Viruses do not respect borders, nor do epidemics discriminate between races. Humanity is a community with a shared future. Only by cooperating and responding together can the international community overcome this pandemic.

I have been saying that humanity is a community with a shared future. To overcome an epidemic affecting the safety of people of all countries, unity and cooperation are our most potent weapon. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was quick to join the global response to the COVID-19 outbreak and has played an active role. I support cooperation between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and relevant Chinese institutions. I also hope the international community can strengthen its cooperative endeavors to safeguard the health and wellbeing of humanity.

—Letter of reply to Bill Gates, February 20, 2020

Public health security is a common challenge facing humanity, and it calls for a collective response from all countries. As a responsible major country, China will continue to communicate effectively with the WHO, share disease prevention and control experiences with relevant countries, enhance international cooperation on the R&D of antiviral medicines and vaccines, and provide as much assistance as it can to countries and regions where the virus is spreading.

—Speech at a meeting to coordinate efforts to curb the COVID-19 outbreak and promote economic and social development, February 23, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has again shown that humanity is a community with a shared future. In this era of economic globalization, this will not be the last such major emergency, as various traditional and non-traditional security threats pose new tests. The international community must realize that as we are a community with a shared future, we must help one another, join hands to tackle risks and challenges, and build a better global home.

—Phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, March 12, 2020

President Xi Jinping attended the Extraordinary G20 Virtual Leaders' Summit and gave a speech titled "Working Together to Defeat the COVID-19 Outbreak." PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER PANG XINGLEI 

Humanity is a community with a shared future, and only unity and cooperation will allow us to respond to global risks and challenges. China, Italy, and the rest of the international community must join forces if we are to overcome current difficulties, achieve victory over the epidemic at an early stage, and protect the people of our two countries and the world.

—Message of sympathy and support to Italian President Sergio Mattarella regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, March 2020

Recently, the virus has spread to many countries around the world. Facts once again show that humanity is a community with a shared future. All countries must unite and cooperate to mount a collective response. Based on the vision of a global community with a shared future, China stands ready to work with other countries to strengthen international cooperation on fighting the pandemic, in order to respond collectively to common threats and challenges and safeguard global public health security.

—Phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, March 23, 2020

Viruses do not respect borders, nor do epidemics discriminate between races. In responding to this global public health crisis, there is all the more urgency and importance to building a global community with a shared future. Only by cooperating and responding together can the international community overcome the pandemic and protect the common home of humankind. China stands ready to work with all the countries of the world, including Kazakhstan, to strengthen the international fight against the pandemic and jointly safeguard global public health security.

—Phone call with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, March 24, 2020

Viruses respect no borders and pose a common challenge facing all humanity. No country stands apart or is exempt. In the fight against the pandemic, China and Germany, and indeed China and Europe, have demonstrated the strength of unity and cooperation and played a positive role.

—Phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, March 25, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic once again shows that humanity is a community with a shared future. The international community should help one another and pull together. We are willing to work with the WHO and all countries to contribute to safeguarding global public health security.

—Letter of reply to Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, March 26, 2020

Epidemics do not respect borders, nor do they discriminate between races. They are a common enemy of humanity. The international community must respond together if it is to win this battle. Through the common efforts of all parties, we arrived at many points of agreement during the Extraordinary G20 Virtual Leaders' Summit on COVID-19 yesterday and achieved positive results. I hope all parties will strengthen coordination and cooperation and put into effect what was achieved at the summit, so as to provide strong momentum for enhancing international cooperation on fighting the pandemic and stabilizing the global economy.

—Phone call with President of the United States of America Donald Trump, March 27, 2020

This pandemic has again proved the importance and urgency of building a global community with a shared future. The Extraordinary G20 Virtual Leaders' Summit on COVID-19 sent out a positive signal of unity in the response to fighting the COVID-19 epidemic and safeguarding the stability of the global economy. China will continue to work with the international community, including Laos, to completely defeat this pandemic as quickly as possible.

—Phone call with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President Bounnhang Vorachith, April 3, 2020

II. Guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future, the Chinese government has maintained an open, transparent, and responsible attitude and held no reservations about sharing its best practices in prevention, control, and treatment of the virus with the WHO and the international community. It has actively engaged in international cooperation on fighting the pandemic to resolutely protect the lives and health of the Chinese people as well as the lives and health of the people of the world.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic, China has adopted strict prevention, control, and treatment measures, released without delay relevant information on epidemic prevention and control, and reported to the WHO and relevant countries and regions on the epidemic in a timely manner. China is willing to work with the international community to implement an effective response to the epidemic and safeguard global health security.

—Phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, January 22, 2020

The international community is highly concerned about the development of the epidemic situation in China. We should actively respond to international concerns, tell the story of China's fight against the disease, and convey to the world our people's spirit of unity and solidarity. We need to do a good job in all diplomatic work related to epidemic prevention and control, continuing to effectively communicate and coordinate with the WHO and relevant countries and regions, promoting information sharing and coordination on control strategies, and working to gain the international community's understanding and support.

—Remarks at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee regarding the response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic, February 3, 2020

The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have adopted the most thorough and stringent virus prevention and control measures in line with their attitude of great responsibility toward the Chinese people and the international community. Our prevention and control effort is achieving encouraging results. The Chinese nation has emerged from great hardships in the past and China is confident and capable of winning this battle against the epidemic. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with all countries, including Cambodia, in an open and transparent manner for a concerted, effective response to the epidemic and to safeguard global and regional public health security. We will look after Cambodian citizens in China, including your students, like they were our own citizens, and protect their lives and health.

—Remarks during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, February 5, 2020

We are guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future to be responsible not only for the health and safety of our own citizens but also for the public health of the whole world. China will continue to maintain an open and transparent attitude and strengthen virus prevention and control cooperation with Indonesia and all other countries, to maintain regional and global public health security. We will also continue to look after Indonesian citizens and other foreign nationals in China like they were our own citizens.

—Phone call with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, February 11, 2020

China is guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future to be responsible not only for the health and safety of our own citizens but also for the public health of the whole world. We are making a tremendous effort. China will continue to adopt an open and transparent attitude and cooperate with the UK and all other countries.

—Phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, February 18, 2020

After the epidemic occurred, I proposed the general requirements of steadfast confidence, solidarity, science-based prevention and treatment, and targeted policies. We have mobilized the whole country to carry out virus prevention and control work and adopted unprecedented prevention, control, and treatment measures, which have yielded significant results. We have resolutely safeguarded the health and safety of the Chinese people and people around the world, and we are striving to contribute to global public health security.

—Letter of reply to Bill Gates, February 20, 2020

During this struggle to control and prevent the epidemic, we have always been guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future. In line with an open, transparent, and responsible attitude, we have shared timely information with the WHO and the international community, responded to the concerns of all parties, strengthened international cooperation, and strived to prevent the epidemic from spreading around the world. We have also adopted strong measures to protect the health and security of foreign nationals in China, including Cuban citizens. China's prevention and control efforts have been commended by the WHO and the international community. China hopes to continue engaging in exchanges and cooperation with Cuba in the areas of medicine and epidemic prevention and control.

—Phone call with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, February 28, 2020

Unity means strength. Under the current circumstances, China firmly supports the efforts of the EU to combat the pandemic and stands ready to assist the EU in achieving a swift victory against the virus. Guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future, China is willing to strengthen bilateral and international coordination and cooperation with the EU in order to collectively safeguard global and regional public health security and protect the health and safety of people in China and Europe and in all countries of the world.

—Message of sympathy and support sent to President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, March 13, 2020

There are outbreaks of the pandemic around the world. All countries must show solidarity and work together to combat the pandemic. China is guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future, and in line with our open, transparent, and responsible attitude, we have been quick to release information about the virus and to share our experiences of prevention, control, and treatment. China is willing to make a greater contribution to preventing the spread of the virus worldwide. And we will continue to provide support and assistance to Pakistan.

—Remarks during a talk with Pakistani President Arif Alvi, March 17, 2020

Through the painstaking efforts of the whole country, China's prevention and control measures have achieved encouraging results, and the country has moved past the most difficult and arduous stage. The pandemic is now spreading in many countries around the world. We in China stand ready to engage in international cooperation and provide any assistance we can. I hope that the international community will work together to seize opportunities amid the crisis and take open and cooperative practical actions to counter the pandemic and together safeguard international health security.

—Phone call with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, March 17, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread with alarming speed, and China has had to face difficulties and has been responding courageously, as its efforts concern not only the lives and health of the Chinese people but also the public health security of people worldwide. Through our painstaking efforts, we have managed to prevent and control the spread of the virus in China, and work and daily life are returning to normal. We have the confidence and ability to achieve ultimate victory in the battle over this virus.

Based on the vision of a global community with a shared future, China is ready to work with Russia and all other countries, to strengthen international cooperation on prevention and control of the pandemic, to share our experiences in the areas of prevention, control, and treatment, to promote joint scientific research, and to address common threats and challenges, in the hope of safeguarding global public health security.

—Phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, March 19, 2020

Public health crises are a common challenge facing humanity, and unity and cooperation are our most potent weapon against them. Guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future, China is willing to continue sharing information and experience with Germany, to strengthen cooperation in the areas of disease prevention, control, and treatment as well as vaccine research and development, so that we can work together to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the people of our two countries and other countries of the world.

—Message of sympathy and support to German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Germany, March 2020

UN Secretary-General António Guterres gave a speech in Geneva, Switzerland, the headquarters of the WHO. He described China's great sacrifice in strictly containing the spread of COVID-19 at the cost of people's normal life as a great contribution to all mankind. During his visit to the headquarters, he held a panel discussion with heads of WHO departments. XINHUA

The pandemic has recently spread to many countries at an alarming rate. It is of the utmost importance that all countries strengthen cooperation. Guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future, and in line with our open, transparent, and responsible attitude, China has released information on the virus in a timely manner and not withheld any information from the WHO or international community on its practices of prevention, control, or treatment of the disease, and we are doing our best to provide assistance to all parties.

—Phone call with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, March 24, 2020

We must uphold the vision of a global community with a shared future, collaborate with relevant countries and international organizations, share our country's established prevention, control and treatment methods, and take action to safeguard global public health security. We should promote joint scientific research and strive to make breakthroughs in virus source tracing, research on transmission mechanisms, and vaccine and drug development at an early date.

—Speech at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on further coordinating COVID-19 prevention and control efforts with economic and social development, March 27, 2020

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, in line with an open, transparent, and responsible attitude, we have kept the WHO and relevant countries, including the US, abreast of information regarding the outbreak, from releasing information on the genome sequence of the virus at the first opportunity to unreservedly sharing our experiences of prevention, control, and treatment with all parties. China is also doing all it can to provide support and assistance to countries in need. We will continue to do so and to work with the international community to defeat this pandemic.

—Phone call with US President Donald Trump, March 27, 2020

Guided by the vision of a global community with a shared future, we must comprehensively strengthen international cooperation. During the Extraordinary G20 Virtual Leaders' Summit on COVID-19, I proposed international cooperation initiatives to combat the pandemic and stabilize the global economy. On the basis of consolidating pandemic prevention and control results, China is returning to work and production nationwide, overcoming difficulties to prioritize the restoration of production and expansion of its capacity of medical and preventive supplies. We are also implementing strict quality supervision measures. This way we hope to provide the world with as much supplies and equipment as possible to combat the pandemic.

—Phone call with King Philippe of Belgium, April 2, 2020

III. In these times of adversity, China appreciates the understanding and support of the international community. The Chinese people shall not forget this, and the Chinese nation is grateful and knows how to reciprocate. China will always provide as much support as possible to the international community in combating the pandemic.

The Chinese government and people are currently doing all they can to combat the novel coronavirus epidemic. In times of adversity people discover who their true friends are. During this extraordinary time, the Cambodian people have stood with us. King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk have expressed their sympathy and support to us, while you, Mr. Prime Minister, have repeatedly given your support to China. Your special visit to China today demonstrates our spirit of togetherness and the essence of China and Cambodia as a community with a shared future.

—Remarks during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, February 5, 2020

One realizes who one's true friends are in times of adversity. Since the epidemic began, Indonesia and other neighboring countries have given us valuable support, reflecting our neighborly ethos of sharing in joy and hardships, of solidarity, and of mutual assistance. We hope that countries in our region will strive to maintain bilateral exchanges and cooperation while reasonably preventing and controlling the epidemic. This is in the common interests of both parties and all the countries in the region.

—Phone call with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, February 11, 2020

China appreciates the understanding and support given to us by the international community, especially from Malaysia and other friendly neighboring countries, including governments and people sending timely assistance, just like delivering much needed charcoal in the deadly winter. This is a vivid demonstration of countries in our region helping one another. We will continue to strengthen cooperation on epidemic prevention and control with Malaysia and other ASEAN countries, in an open and transparent manner to safeguard regional public health security together. We will continue to look after Malaysian citizens and other foreign nationals in China like they were our own citizens.

—Phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, February 13, 2020

A true friend is known in a time of adversity. China is not only safeguarding the lives and health of the people of China but also feels an acute sense of responsibility toward global public health security. China has mainly relied on the strength of the Chinese people to combat the epidemic, but we are also grateful to the international community for its assistance. China has from day one cooperated with all countries, including France, in an open and transparent manner to respond jointly to the epidemic. China stands ready to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with France in the field of health and to safeguard regional and global public health security together.

—Phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, February 18, 2020

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the government and people across the society in the Republic of Korea have come forward to express their sympathy and to assist and support China. We are deeply grateful for this. China will continue to maintain an open and transparent attitude to strengthening communication and cooperation with the Republic of Korea, and all other countries, in order to respond jointly to the epidemic and promote the health and wellbeing of people around the world.

—Phone call with President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in, February 20, 2020

China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners and have a long tradition of helping each other. After the outbreak of COVID-19 epidemic, Pakistan immediately offered support to us, overcame difficulties to provide valuable material donations, and maintained all normal contact between our two countries. A few days ago, the National Assembly and the Senate of your country passed resolutions fully supporting China in its fight against the epidemic. Today Mr. Prime Minister, you have called specially to express sympathy and support. These facts once again prove that China and Pakistan are true friends and brothers through thick and thin. We will look after our Pakistani brothers and sisters in China like they were our own citizens.

—Phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, February 20, 2020

The Chinese government and people are making every effort to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, and we have received valuable support and assistance from the Mongolian government and people. As the first foreign head of state to visit China after the epidemic, Mr. President, you have come especially to express sympathy and support, which fully reflects the high priority you and Mongolia attach to Sino-Mongolian relations and your deep feelings toward the Chinese people. This vividly demonstrates the mutual assistance and solidarity between our two neighboring countries, and I wish to convey my appreciation for this.

—Remarks during a talk with Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga, February 27, 2020

Director-General of the WHO Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a regular press conference on the COVID-19 on February 17, 2020, at which he said that the newly released epidemiological report by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention provided assistance for the WHO to give suggestions on epidemic prevention and control to other countries in the world. PHOTO BY XINHUA REPORTER CHEN JUNXIA 

China and the Republic of Korea are friendly neighbors who watch out for each other and pull together in times of difficulties. The government and people across the society in the Republic of Korea have come forward to express their sympathy and assist China in fighting the epidemic. You have specifically emphasized that China's difficulties are the difficulties of the Republic of Korea. 

This epidemic recognizes no borders. The countries of the world are a community with a shared future. The Chinese government and people empathize with the Republic of Korea regarding the epidemic and difficulties you now face. We in China will continue to provide whatever assistance we can to your country to combat the epidemic. And we stand ready to work with you to overcome the virus as quickly as possible to safeguard the lives and health of our two peoples and of people around the world.

—Message of sympathy and support to ROK President Moon Jae-in regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in the ROK, March 2020

China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners, and our two peoples enjoy a tradition of friendship. The Iranian government and people have provided sincere and friendly support and assistance to China to combat the epidemic. To help Iran fight the epidemic, we are providing medical materials and sending a team of volunteer health experts. We are ready to strengthen cooperation on combating the epidemic with Iran and to continue to do whatever we can to assist Iran. We believe that the Iranian government and people will unquestionably be victorious in this battle to prevent and control the epidemic.

—Message of sympathy and support to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran, March 2020