Global unity key to beating COVID-19

China on Friday called for global solidarity to deal with the negative impact of unilateral sanctions and to help developing countries fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Some individual countries are still stubbornly carrying out unilateral coercive measures while the international community is actively cooperating to deal with the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic," Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular news conference in Beijing.

Geng said that the sanctions have made it difficult for some countries to obtain materials and financial support needed to combat the virus, thus causing larger humanitarian problems.

"We urge individual countries to immediately cancel unilateral sanctions and join the international society in the fight against COVID-19," he said.

Geng's remarks came as an online seminar was jointly held by some permanent missions to the United Nations earlier this week. Participants agreed that unilateral sanctions severely breached the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, went against international law and undermined sanctioned countries' development rights and the ability to realize goals for sustainable development, making ordinary citizens the biggest victims.

"International organizations such as the UN should provide timely and effective support for sanctioned countries to help resolve the economic and social impact from COVID-19 and improve people's difficult situations," Geng said, adding that China has already provided large amounts of assistance within its capability to countries in need, and will continue to do so.

The spokesman also noted the importance of concerted efforts from the international community that push for greater development of the global economy after securing victory over COVID-19.

Geng said the fact that the World Economic Forum billed its annual conference for 2021 in Davos as the "Great Reset" reflected the urgent global aspiration for cooperation to deal with the pandemic and resume stable worldwide economic development.

"The crisis caused by COVID-19 also provided us with an opportunity to rethink, remodel and promote a global reset as well as to build a more healthy, fair and prosperous future," he said, adding that solidarity is the weapon to deal with the dual crises facing global public health and economic growth.

China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with all parties, including the WEF, and push for the strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth of the global economy at an early date, Geng added.