SCIO briefing on the cooperation between China and the int'l community in fighting COVID-19
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 28, 2020
Macao Daily News:
How has the Chinese government decided which countries they will offer anti-epidemic assistance to? How did the government decide the types and quantities of the anti-epidemic materials? And when the Chinese government made these decisions, did they take into consideration if the recipient countries had previously helped China? Will China meet every country's demand if they ask for help?
Deng Boqing:
Thank you for your questions. When China put together its assistance programs, we took into consideration the following factors: First, we evaluated how bad the recipient country had been hit by the epidemic, the state of its medical and health system, and how bad the shortage of medical supplies was. Second, we evaluated the specific needs of the country. Third, we evaluated our own capabilities. By sticking to the principle of acting according to one's own ability, we made the assistance plan on the premise that domestic anti-epidemic needs must be guaranteed. The two countries would negotiate to make the specific plan, including the types and quantities of the anti-epidemic materials, the obligations of both parties and the division of work.
There is an old saying in China, "A drop received in need will be repaid with a whole river." China will remember the countries who helped us in the fight against COVID-19 and repay them in time. At the same time, we understand that different countries have different conditions. China is grateful for both material aid as well as political and moral support.
In China's foreign-aid policy, we believe in not only the idea that, "You throw a peach to me, I give you a white jade for friendship," but also, "A friend in need is a friend indeed." This year marks the 70th anniversary of China's foreign-aid policy. Over the past 70 years, China has offered aid to developing countries in the spirit of internationalism and humanitarianism. China's foreign aid to countries severely affected by natural disasters and epidemic outbreaks has earned high praise from the international community. China's foreign aid has so far covered the Indian Ocean tsunami, Nepal earthquake, and the fights against the Ebola epidemic, plague and Zika virus epidemic.
At present, the world is sparing no effort in its fight against the raging epidemic. The spread of COVID-19 across China has been basically halted. However, China is still facing the risk of scattered and regional outbreaks as well as imported cases. China will continue to offer assistance to relevant countries while ensuring domestic epidemic prevention and controls are in order. We also hope more forces will join the global fight against COVID-19. There is an old saying in China, "The more people that collect firewood, the higher the flames," which means "Many hands make light work." We can defeat the epidemic and safeguard the welfare of all people as long as the international community works together. Thank you.
