Op-ed: We are in a Community with a Shared Future

The following is a statement by the Chinese Ambassador to Maldives, Zhang Lizhong.

___

Recently, the continuous outbreaks and spread of COVID-19 in many countries and regions has become the most severe and urgent security challenge to the international community. Confronting the pandemic, China did neither hesitate nor flinch. President Xi Jinping takes the leading and commanding role of fighting against the pandemic personally, and chaired 8 meetings of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee from the beginning of this year, to make deployments of containing the pandemic and stabilizing the social-economy. Under the strong leadership of President Xi, the 1.4 billion Chinese people have been fully mobilized and deployed, and have taken the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures to contain the pandemic. At present, the situation of the pandemic control continues to improve and the economic activities and people’s life are getting back to normal in a speedy way. The arduous efforts of the Chinese people have bought the precious time and made important contribution for the prevention and control of the pandemic for the whole world, which won the high appraisal from the international community and more importantly, showed the unique institutional advantages of the socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The pandemic doesn’t know borders. The only way to encounter it is to uphold the belief of a community with a shared future for the mankind and the spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Confronting the severe situation in many countries, China has taken swift response and actions to provide batches of medical assistance within its capacity. The Chinese government has announced to provide assistance to over 80 countries, WHO and the Africa Union, and already sent medical teams to Iran, Iraq, Italy and Pakistan, etc. China has donated USD 20 million to WHO to support its efforts to fight the pandemic globally. The local governments, enterprises and civil organizations in China are also in action.

On the evening of 26 March, President Xi Jinping attended the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19 in Beijing and delivered important remarks. President Xi stressed that, to confront the formidable challenge to global public health security brought by COVID-19, we need to be resolute in fighting an all-out global war against the COVID-19 outbreak, make a collective response for control and treatment at the international level, support international organizations in playing their active roles, and enhance international macro-economic policy coordination. 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 and contribute to a stable world economy. Once again, China has shown its responsibility as a major country.

The pandemic has also connected China and the Maldives more closely. After the outbreak of the pandemic, especially after the first confirmed case in Maldives, I have been closely following the development of the situation and the measures taken by the Maldivian government. I kept close contacts with Minister of Foreign Affairs Shahid, Minister of Health Ameen and Minister of Tourism Waheed to exchange in-depth views on the situation of the pandemic and the cooperation between our two countries. President Solih sent the letter to President Xi Jinping to express the condolences and support for the pandemic control efforts by China, and announced to donate one million tuna cans to China, which showcased the profound friendship between our two countries and two peoples. We are deeply grateful and will keep it in our mind forever. I’m impressed by the prompt and resolute measures taken by the Maldivian government to protect the health and safety of the Maldivian people, which is applaudable. Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

China has the empathy to the difficulties that Maldives is facing and is cooperating with the Maldivian side in a speedy way. The Chinese government is actively coordinating and providing the medical assistance. Chinese companies in Maldives have donated some medical goods. First batch of emergency materials from Yunnan Province has already been handed over to the Maldivian side. Jack Ma has decided to donate to Maldives a batch of medical goods which is expected to come in a couple of days. The health officials and experts from Maldivian side were invited to attend the online video conference on prevention and control of the pandemic hosted by the Chinese side. The steady flow of these support and assistance reflects the sincerity and friendship from the Chinese people to the Maldivian people and the spirit of mutual respect, mutual assistance between neighboring countries in hard times.

This pandemic has shown how we are closely connected in this global village. So it is true to China-Maldives relationship. I have been touched and encouraged by the public support and sympathy to China. I’m also fully aware of the expectation to China from the public here to jointly combat the COVID-19. What I can assure you that we will go through the difficulty together, and our friendship will be once again tested by time. We are in a community of a shared future for mankind.