China's move to reach out wins praise

After release of white paper, experts highlight help given to countries in need

Despite China's own battle against COVID-19, the country shared its experience with the world and provided scientific guidance to help the international community fight the virus, global experts said.

A white paper titled "Fighting COVID-19: China in Action" was recently released by the State Council Information Office, and it contains data, procedures and details of preventive measures and treatments for the disease.

Kung Phoak, the deputy secretary-general for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, said: "The white paper records China's battle against COVID-19 in a diary style and is convincing and admirable."

The Chinese experience and cooperative actions have been shared with the world. And they can help countries facing the pandemic, and become reference points for ASEAN members in containing the virus while resuming economic activity, he said.

Dennis Munene, a senior policy adviser at the Africa Policy Institute, said that China, despite fighting its own battle to prevent the virus from overwhelming its robust healthcare system, stepped up to fill in the global leadership vacuum that had been created by divisive ideologies, and began helping the international community, especially countries affected by COVID-19, through provision of medical aid, personal protective equipment kits, and the diagnosis and treatment protocol.

Thus, the white paper is "a clear indication of China's confidence, and readiness in fighting global pandemics such as the COVID-19".

He also said: "China's swift action to offer programs and guidelines, and provide scientific and professional guidance on prevention and control of the virus has shown its primary goal is to prioritize people's lives and their health through holding a strong first line of defense to ensure the well-being of humanity."

Thira Woratanarat, associate professor in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, said that he appreciated China's efforts in fighting COVID-19 as well as for sharing its experience with the world.

Without China's experience shared through various channels, countries including Thailand would not have been able to effectively prevent and control the virus, he said.

"We learned a lot from China in terms of clinical presentation of infected cases, natural history of the virus and the disease, prevention and control measures, treatment strategies, and other non-health policies and actions," he said.

"Besides the Chinese government's actions, the Chinese population should also be commended for fighting COVID-19 bravely and in harmony."

Global regulatory system

As for medical treatment, China shared its experience on COVID-19 treatment strategies with the world and helped Thailand a lot on how to take care of its patients, he added.

"The war against COVID-19 was the most devastating event that we have seen. However, it taught us to plan for future battles with other organisms. From now on, disease preparedness in Thailand will never be the same again," he said.

Christopher Bovis, a professor of international business law at the University of Hull in the United Kingdom, said that with its white paper on the fight against the virus, the Chinese government has showcased its drive for global economic progress with responsive and responsible political and economic leadership, which insists on the need to promote sustainable development.

Pivotal to this solution is a global regulatory system which can strike a meaningful and workable balance between free trade and national concerns, especially the elimination of poverty, raising living standards and combating the effects of the recent pandemic.

"And China will play a pivotal role in global economic development after the pandemic is brought under control," he said.

Yang Han in Hong Kong, Liu Hongjie in Nairobi and Chen Yingqun in Beijing contributed to this story.