China serves as strong line of global defense

The fast-spreading COVID-19 has become a major public health emergency that is hard to contain. And since the outbreak, President Xi Jinping has personally presided over China's epidemic response.

China has responded quickly and adopted the most comprehensive measures, making concerted efforts and progress in its fight against the disease.

The spread of novel coronavirus in China has been effectively controlled. Over the past week, the overall epidemic situation in the country has shown a stable trend, with the methods of treatment becoming increasingly effective.

The rate of recovery among patients in Wuhan, Hubei province, as well as across the entire country, has continued to increase. The number of newly recovered and discharged cases has exceeded newly confirmed cases, accounting for more than 55 percent.

The number of new cases has reached zero in most of the provinces and cities.

The outbreak in Hubei has also been contained, with zero newly confirmed cases in many places. Facts show that China has effectively controlled the spread of the epidemic.

President Xi has personally promoted and guided international cooperation against the epidemic. In the spirit of openness, transparency and responsibility, China has shared timely information and experience with other countries.

China's efforts and commitment have been highly appreciated by the international community. Recently, the WHO-China Joint Mission on COVID-19 released a report after a nine-day field trip in China, fully recognizing China's "bravest, most flexible and most aggressive" prevention and control measures.

The report encouraged other countries to learn from China's successful experience against the coronavirus.

Since the outbreak, African countries have stood firmly with China, with many African leaders having sent messages expressing their support to China in its fight against what is now a pandemic.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union Commission, expressed his solidarity with the Chinese people. Some African students in China volunteered to go to the front line in the battle against the virus.

COVID-19 had spread to 146 countries, including many African nations, as of Monday.

Just as China helped Africa to cope with the Ebola outbreak in 2014, it is always there when African countries need its help. The Chinese Mission to the African Union attaches great importance to disease prevention and control.

Chinese embassies in African countries are also guiding Chinese nationals in Africa to cooperate in local prevention and control work. Those who have returned to Africa from China are required to self-quarantine for two weeks.

China has provided the first group of test kits to the AU and will offer more medical supplies. It will also promote the implementation of healthcare initiatives, including construction of African centers for disease control and prevention, and cooperation between China and Africa in public health and disease control.

COVID-19 is a challenge to humanity. China and all other affected countries are facing a big challenge in curtailing its spread.

China has served as a strong line of defense for the world as the outbreak spread. Human society shares a future in which everyone has a stake. As globalization connects us, it requires cooperation and a joint response of the international community, including African countries, to fight the epidemic.

Guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future, China will actively participate in regional and international cooperation against the outbreak and engage in international public health governance.

Only with cooperation and a joint response from the international community can we defeat the outbreak and safeguard regional and global public health.

The author is ambassador and head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.