China wins global support for epidemic fight
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E-mail Xinhua, February 20, 2020
Chinese Foreign Ministry held two briefings in late January and early February, respectively, for foreign embassies and missions in China on the prevention and control of the epidemic.
Chinese agencies abroad have also maintained close communication with the governments of receiving countries and updated them on the outbreak and China's efforts in a timely manner.
Due to the outbreak, the Foreign Ministry has held its daily press briefing online through WeChat, the country's most popular messaging app, since Feb. 3.
In a WeChat group of some 300 Chinese and foreign reporters, spokespersons update coronavirus-related data and respond to questions every weekday, together with an English version.
Hua Chunying, director-general of the information department and spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry, took a pioneering step in opening a personal Twitter account on Feb. 14.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in his interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, elaborated on how China has shouldered responsibility for its own people and the world at large.
"We have taken the most comprehensive, stringent and thorough prevention and control measures, many of which are well beyond what is required by International Health Regulations and the recommendations of the WHO," Wang told Reuters.
Cui Tiankai, Chinese ambassador to the United States, responded to questions raised by U.S. media outlets, easing concerns and misunderstanding from the Western public.
The shared information conveys not only China's confidence and determination to win the battle but also the concrete measures on countering the epidemic, said Zhou Xinyu, a professor of international relations at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
"It shows Chinese diplomats are taking a candid, honest and open attitude when dealing with the epidemic," said Zhou. "They told the facts and did not evade harsh questions, which was helpful."
In The Same Boat
Viruses do not respect borders.
"The sudden outbreak of the epidemic reminds the world once again that no country can prosper in isolation or meet challenges on its own, as interests are closely interconnected," State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.
Thanks to China's voluntary sacrifices, the number of confirmed cases outside China is less than 1 percent of the total, and the world has so far not seen a major global outbreak.
"China's efforts to control the source of the virus and contain its spread have bought valuable time for the rest of the world," said Tedros, stressing that without China's efforts, the number of global cases would be much higher.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, so far, leaders of more than 160 countries and international organizations have sent letters or messages to express their solidarity. Many countries offered moral and material support to China.
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