Mogadishu(SONNA)-2020 is destined to be recorded in human history. Human beings are fighting arduous against a sudden epidemic.
1. China’s fighting epidemic information is open and transparent
On December 27, 2019, cases of pneumonia of unknown cause were found in Wuhan. On December 30, first novel coronavirus pneumonia was diagnosed. On December 31, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission on its official website released the “Report on the Current Situation of Pneumonia in Wuhan”. This day, China National Health Commission appointed an expert group arriving in Wuhan and carrying out relevant testing and verification. On January 1, 2020, the National Health Commission established a leading group for response and dealing with the epidemic led by Minister Ma Xiaowei. On January 3, Wuhan Health Commission reported that cases with viral pneumonia of unknown causes were found. On January 8, the novel coronavirus was confirmed by the experts of the National Health Commission. On January 11, Wuhan Health Commission changed the name of “pneumonia of unknown cause” to “pneumonia of new coronavirus infection” for the first time. China has only 7 days to complete virus isolation, and in the shortest time to inform the World Health Organization and other countries of the epidemic situation and virus gene sequence.
The epidemic is a common challenge facing mankind, which requires the international community to work together to fight it. China’s President Xi Jinping pointed out that unity and cooperation is a powerful weapon against the epidemic. China is the first country to be attacked by virus of Covid-19. However, a large number of reports say that “We can’t assume the origins of the virus from Wuhan just because Wuhan first is invaded by virus”. France TV24 says, “No evidence Covid-19 linked to Wuhan research lab”, ABC says, “Scientists have strong evidence coronavirus originated naturally”. China has timely released the epidemic situation at home and abroad, the latest data every day, shared information and experience with other countries, actively responded to the concerns of all parties, and shared the genome sequence of the virus with the WHO and other countries, embodies the spirit of speediness, openness, transparency and responsibility. According to US media reports, on January 3, the virus has the characteristics of global epidemic received by the US side. China’s messages are very open, clear and faster. The international community praises highly the measures and great contributions of the Chinese government and people in response to the epidemic. More than 170 national leaders and international and regional organizations are responsible for expressing their support and condolences to China through telephone calls or public statements, and fully affirming China’s mobilization of huge resources and capabilities to fight against the epidemic. But recently, some people are blame China for concealing epidemic information, make conspiracy theory on the origins of the virus and “China’s responsibility theory”, and attempt to wipe out China’s achievements fighting the epidemic. Global Research reported, “China’s Covid-19 Reporting is Truthful”! Daily Mail reported Bill Gates “Billionaire says Beijing ‘did a lot of things right’ at the start of the pandemic and claims criticism of the Communist Party is a “Distraction’”. Netizens pointed out, “such accusation is purely fantastic stories!”, “stop blame games”, “stop this nonsense of blaming”.
2、Measures taken by China are positive and effective
After the outbreak of the epidemic, China took active actions from the government to the people, took stringent preventive and control measures, exceeding the recommendations of the WHO and the requirements of the International Health Regulations, and set a new benchmark for countries around the world to fight against the epidemic.
The Chinese government puts people’s life and health first. On January 7, China’s President Xi Jinping chaired the Standing Committee Meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the CPC, personally instructed and directed the epidemic prevention and control work. The Central Committee of the CPC set up a leading group to deal with the epidemic outbreak in time, and sent guidance groups to Hubei and other areas with serious epidemic in China. On January 15, the National Center for Disease Control and prevention launched a first-class emergency response, The National Health Commission issued with the diagnosis and treatment plan of the first edition to prevent novel coronavirus pneumonia. On January 18, academician Zhong Nanshan led a high-level expert group of the National Health Commission to visit Wuhan again entrusted by the State Council and the National Health Commission. On January 20, President Xi Jinping made important instructions on the fighting the epidemic, that a detailed plan be made, all sides should be organized to carry out prevention and control, and effective measures should be taken to curb the spread of the epidemic. The National Health Commission issued announcement, and adopted the prevention and control measures for Class A infectious diseases. On January 22, Hubei Province launched a emergency response to public health emergencies. Wuhan municipal government issued a circular requiring citizens to wear masks in public places. On January 23, Wuhan city was lock down. It was decided to build Huoshenshan and Leishenshan hospitals in accordance with Beijing’s “Xiaotangshan” model. On June 26, the State Council issued a notice to extend the Chinese Spring Festival Holiday in 2020. The National Development and Reform Commission issued an urgent central budget of 300 million RMB to support the construction of the hospital projects, focusing on the purchase of important medical equipment. On January 27, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Wuhan to guide the work of epidemic prevention and control. The Chinese government issued a notice to clarify that the individual burden of the epidemic treatment costs shall be subsidized by the national finance. On February 2, Huoshenshan hospital was officially handover. Hubei province requires that all suspected patients should be quarantined in strict accordance with the requirements of centralized treatment. 8 air transport planes with 800 medical personnel and more than 70 tons of materials arrived in Hubei to fight the epidemic. On February 8, the National Health Commission announced the establishment of a counterpart support relationship between 16 provinces to support Wuhan and other cities, “one province for one city” to support Hubei. On March 10, President Xi Jinping visited Huoshenshan hospital and East Lake new town of Wuhan to guide the epidemic prevention and control. On April 8, Wuhan city was removed the lock-down.
Chinese people actively responded to the call of the government, fully supported the fight against the epidemic, consciously complied with the instructions of closing the city, implemented closing community management, sacrificed family gatherings outside, implemented self quarantine, so as to block the epidemic. In a short period of time, more than 300 medical teams and 40,000 medical workers from all over China rushed to Wuhan and Hubei, making outstanding contributions to winning the battles of Wuhan and Hubei. In the most tense time of epidemic prevention, white medical soldiers risked their lives to fight the frontline for saving people’s lives; the PLA was desperate and charged ahead; the project builders built a new hospital in a very short time, etc.. Applications to fight the epidemic, photos of farewell to relatives to support the frontline of combating the epidemic, one by one extraordinary donation actions with zeal, dedication, and altruism, which move the heaven and the earth, evoke praises and people’s tears. The Chinese people have made great sacrifices and great efforts to fight the epidemic. Unfortunately, some countries have missed the precious time and window of prevention and control epidemic won by the Chinese people lives! However, it is not compatible with feeling and reason, law and human nature to accuse and stigmatize China and try so hard to shift the blame to China in various forms!
3. China actively fulfills its international humanitarian obligations
Under the great pressure of the domestic fighting the epidemic that has not yet ended, still faced with the import cases of virus, the rebound of internal defense and the return to work, China, in the spirit of high responsibility of a large country, has made every effort to send medical experts to the countries and regions with serious epidemic situation, and to provide medical material assistance such as protective masks, gloves, goggles, etc. In the face of the epidemic, the Chinese people delivers the conscience, fraternity, great love and kindness of human beings. It’s a moral choice to extend a helping hand. However, such a country and government have been attacked and slandered by individual people. What’s the justice? It’s really puzzling! Viruses, regardless of national boundaries, regions, races and religions, are the number one enemy of mankind, and China is also a victim. In the face of the common enemy, we should transcend the differences of politics, ideologies and religious beliefs, abandon racial discrimination and stigmatization, let all kinds of lies break. In the face of this common crisis for humanity, no country can stay immune. Now is the time more than ever that the international community needs solidarity and cooperation. President Xi Jinping said at attending Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit, it is imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response so that humanity as one could win the battle against such a major infectious disease. Guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China will be more than ready to provide assistance where we can to other countries.
China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future. We have worked together in unity and forged ahead in trying times for more than 60 years, and have forged brotherhood. In the critical period of China’s fight against the epidemic, African brothers gave strong solidarity and support; in the severe epidemic situation, China gave brotherly and sisterly treatment to African people in China, and gave warm care to African friends in China, particularly African students. At the time of severe epidemic in China, more than 3,000 overseas students in Hubei Province were all safe except one who was infected and soon cured. Netizens praised, “this is a miracle in the history of human epidemic prevention!”, and pointed out “some people are spreading dubious sensational materials on the internet to misinform and incite hatred, even violence”, “too much anti-Chinese fake news by these irresponsible hired cyber troops”, “some media are still demonize China”. China has made great efforts and sacrifices to fight the epidemic, seeing the increasingly severe epidemic situation in Africa, China, from the government to the people, has taken active actions to urgently deliver test kits, masks, protective clothing, masks and other anti epidemic materials to the African continent. China has done its utmost to help Africa, the African people, and African brothers and sisters to fight the epidemic, so as to fully express the unbreakable and profound friendship between China and Africa, so as to fully reflect China and African countries are good friends, good partners and good brothers, so as to fully demonstrate China’s deep friendship with African brothers and sisters.
At present, the epidemic in Somalia is worrying. The Chinese side overcame the difficulties of air transportation, under the risk of epidemic infection, Chinese workers worked hard day and night, to catch up with the work and production. The anti epidemic materials donated by the Jack Ma foundation have arrived in Somalia, and the other materials assisted by the Chinese government will also arrive in Somalia soon, hoping to help Somalia fight the epidemic. The Somali government attaches great importance to and actively takes anti epidemic measures to strengthen epidemic prevention and control, which fully reflects the high responsibility of the Somali government for people’s life and health, and puts people’s life safety first. China and Somalia are sincere friends and partners. The Chinese government and people will continue to help Somalia to fight the epidemic, and work together with the international community to make unremitting efforts to fight the epidemic in Somalia!
By Qin Jian, Chinese Ambassador to Somalia
