Hand in Hand on Covid-19 Fight for a Community of Public Health for Mankind

The battle against COVID-19 in Rwanda is on high gear. Under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, the Rwanda government has been consistently following the people-centered approach and taking science-based,comprehensive and rigorous measures, which haveachieved major progress in containing the pandemic.

The latest statistics released by the Rwandan Ministry of Healthindicate a better future. Early this week, there were more recoveries than active cases and the trend has continued till now.From May 4^th,the lockdown measures have been partly eased and people’s life and work are returning to normal at a steady pace.

What’s more, Rwanda contributed one million USDs to the funding of the African Union and Africa Center of Disease Control to fight the pandemic. On different occasions, President PaulKagame has firmly supported the leading role of the WHO in coronavirus fight andcalled for closer collaboration among members of the EAC, AU and international community. Rwandatruly sets a good example for outbreak response.

As China’s Ambassador to Rwanda, I’m deeply encouraged by Rwanda’s counter-virus efforts and achievements. We, the Chinese can empathize with Rwandan people’sexperiences in this fight.China isthe first country hit hard by the pandemic. We made huge sacrifices to push back the virus and know how tough the battle is.

Covid-19 is a public health crisis and seriously threatens the safety and health of the people, poses big challenge to the governanceof government, and severely undermines the social economy. Virus knows no borders. No country can shield itself from its impact. It’s a living proof thatthe world all belongs to a community with a shared futureand a common stake. China stands with Rwanda and other African countries in this fight. Together, we have demonstrated to the world that solidarity and cooperation can create a positive momentum.

When China was in the most difficult days, African friendsincludingRwandanpeople,assisted us to the best of the capabilities and voiced firm solidarity with China.Now China has achieved major and strategic success in containing the virus and the economy is showing steady recovery. Chinais repaying kindness from Africa friends and workinghand in hand to navigate the tough times.China has donated medical supplies to the African Union and all the African countries having diplomatic relations with China.Chinese public health experts have traveled to Africa to save lives. The two sides have had frequent exchanges of views online.Going forward, China will continue to provide support to African countries, promote the development of Africa CDC, and enhance cooperation between China and Africa on public health and disease control. I’m sure together, China and Africa can beat COVID-19 and build a public health community with a shared future.

However, unlike in China and Africa wherepeople closely coordinate and cooperateto fight the epidemic, in some parts of the worldthere have been unpleasant talks about COVID-19. At this critical juncture, it’s really a time for solidarity, collaboration and mutual support, not a time for finger-pointing or blame-shifting.In fighting the virus, fortunes of every country are closely inter-connected. In sustaining social and economic growth, interests of every country are closely aligned.

Facts already prove that no country can tackle this disease on its own. We are all in it together.Chinese President Xi Jinping said mankind belongs to acommunitywith a shared future and in this community, solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons to defeat Covid-19.Viruses are the common enemy of humanity. Working together in partnership is only the right way forward.

Guided by this vision,we insist it is absolutely important that the international community shoulduphold fairness and justice, rather than politicize the public health issue and stigmatize other countries; different countries need act with a greater sense of common purpose and stronger resolve, rather than engage in a smear and scapegoating campaign.

We propose to improve global governance on public health and support the WHO in playing an important role in the global response to the pandemic.

We hope toenhance the coordination of social and economic policies to stabilize society, ensure economic recovery and guarantee people’s livelihoods. The global industrial and supply chains should keep open, stable and secure.

All these are integral parts of a community of public health for mankind. Hand in hand, we will prevail over the epidemic and make concrete contributions to global public health security.

RAO Hongwei

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of

the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Rwanda