China’s experience in battle against COVID-19 brings hope to the world

Xi's push for joint international efforts a testament to vision of “shared future"

The Yellow Crane Tower, a famous Wuhan landmark that has watched over the city for millennia. As China's epiccenter of COVID-19, as of March 17, the city has 50004 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 39220 patients have fully recovered, while 2480 died. (Photo by Pixabay)

The March sun shone bright upon the Yellow Crane Tower, a famous Wuhan landmark that has watched over the city for millennia. By reference to the lunar calendar, the entire city will soon be immersed in the fragrance of cherry blossom, a wonderful scene that will ease the suffering and pain of Wuhan and its people. Spring is in its heyday, as is the battle against a lethal virus that has killed over two thousand locals. 

After becoming the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, Wuhan has recently come under the spotlight and hit global media headlines. Both the Chinese authorities and the people of Wuhan have made great sacrificesin curbing the spread of the virus . On January 23, the city went into lockdown - its citizens stayed in their homes for self-quarantine, while thousands of medical professionals and experts across China were sent to the cityto help.

After months of arduous struggle, which involved the building of makeshift hospitals, professionals coming together to develop quick test kits and providing citizens the necessary material and mental support, some positive signs have emerged. More than 30,000 patients were discharged and all temporary hospitals created to handle the epidemics were shut down. Daily new cases on the Chinese mainland dropped to 27 on March 15, down from its peak of a thousand a month ago. Most provinces have reported zero increases for successive days.

On March 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping, commander-in-chief of China’s war against COVID-19, flew to Wuhan to inspect epidemic prevention and control work on the ground, announcing that the spread of the disease in China has been basically curbed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves to residents who are quarantined at home and sends regards to them at a community in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, March 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

While the people in Wuhan may soon be able to enjoy the fragrance of cherry blossoms, the pandemic situation for people in other nations is getting worse. During a news briefing on March 14, WHO Director-General TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus noted that more coronavirus cases are being reported each day outside of China than China reported at the peak of its epidemic, while Europe has now become the epicenter of the pandemic.

“No country is immune from the virus. It has been years since President Xi proposed the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind. It is time to test the theory, with China offering help to the world,” said Zhu Liyu, executive director of the human rights research center of Renmin University of China.

In the face of a challenge that threatens everyone on the planet, China has decided to provide support to other nations to tackle the virus. During a phone call with his US counterparts Donald Trump in February, Xi stressed that it will take joint efforts from all countries to contain the further spread of the virus.

“China is protecting not only its own people, but also the rest of the world,” said the Chinese President.

Zhao Tong and Xian Jiangnan contributed to the story.