Since the second half of February, the novel coronavirus has been contained in China for the time being; however, it has spread across the world. The world is on high alert; the US stock market has plummeted and global markets are in a state of panic. The epidemic has spiralled out of control in Japan and South Korea, and lockdown measures have been imposed in European cities, increasing the likelihood of a global geopolitical crisis.
The Covid-19 epidemic is not the first biological threat to humans and will not be the last. There have been several epidemics since the beginning of 21st century, although the West has mostly has managed to avoid the worst, but it does not mean that an epidemic will never seriously trouble those parts of the world. Biological threats are every country's problem, not only those that are most badly challenged by the emergence of a serious public health threat.
China's response to the COVID-19 is different to the response to the SARS outbreak. It is an uninvited test of political maturity. And yet, it has been greeted with border closures and racism despite the WHO saying these measures are both unnecessary and counterproductive. The China response stands in stark contrast to H1N1 swine flu which originated in the borderlands of the United States and Mexico, infecting more than 1,600,000 people in 214 countries with a 17 percent mortality rate leading to more than 284,000 deaths.
Since reform and opening-up began in 1978, China's interaction with the outside world has accelerated and China's development has become increasingly fascinating and has attracted many foreigners to study, work and live in China. Many of them have achieved their own dreams with the help of China's fast development, and in return many have contributed to the country's development. Their relations with Chinese people are now like those of close neighbors. Many of these foreigners regard China as their home or at least their second hometown.
The COVID-19 outbreak has become a common concern for the international community. China has taken appropriate measures in time, conduct and function against the epidemic, and the Chinese authorities have been praised by scientists worldwide, including the WHO, for their responsible, effective and transparent response.
A few days later it was officially announced that the coronavirus hit Europe in unexpected places in northern Italy. This is no longer a matter of an individual case but a beginning of an epidemic. Stories about the COVID-19 are now dominating the media in Europe.
At this critical time in fighting the coronavirus, I would like to express my genuine and deep sympathy for the people of China, and to pray for final victory over the deadly disease. So many innocent people have lost their lives; so many families have lost their loved ones.
At this critical time in fighting the coronavirus, I would like to express my genuine and deep sympathy for the people of China, and to pray for final victory over the deadly disease. So many innocent people have lost their lives; so many families have lost their loved ones.
As the epidemic escalates, global coordination and cooperation become more important. On the one hand, the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN agencies needs to be given full play. On the other hand, countries must step up the alignment of economic policies. Protectionism is not a good way to revitalize the economy, nor is it good for fighting the epidemic.
The world has become complacent to the emergence of new viruses, relying on advancement in science and medicine, and wrongly believing that there will be a cure for every illness.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.
The COVID-19 outbreak in China has begun to decline outside Hubei Province, meanwhile in some countries it is on the rise. This fully shows that the epidemic is a challenge faced by all humanity and needs to be addressed by all countries. China's experience in combating the outbreak shows that timely, accurate and authoritative information disclosure is crucial. However, "negative energy" arguments in the public opinion field, which undermines the solidarity and cooperation between human beings and even creates panic out of nothing, will harm the efforts to fight the epidemic and can be called a "tumor" in the public opinion field during the epidemic.
There are always heroes and cowards. This is a time when courage and timidity, misery and glory, and anxiety and hope coexist. As US reporter William Manchester carefully reported in his book The Glory and the Dream: A Narrative History of America, 1932-1972, China also has its own compelling stories in the domains of politics, economy, culture and social life over the past four decades. Unfortunately, neither Chinese nor Western media outlets have accurately recorded this era of complexity and diversity.