Facts proved that epidemic respects no borders and its outbreak leaves no one out, as an increasing number of cases in more countries were reported over the last few days.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Friday, therefore, raised the risk assessment of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from "high" to "very high" at a global level, and the UN chief called for intensified efforts to contain COVID-19 without stigmatization.
It is natural for countries to deal with common challenges hand in hand as mankind is a community with a shared future.
To date, China has taken unprecedented measures to fight at the forefront against the epidemic.
Virus knows no borders, but the worst of times reveals the best in people. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, many countries' governments and people lend support and help to China, which reinforced the confidence of victory and made people gain friendship.
Now when countries including Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Italy and Iran are seeing increasing COVID-19 cases, China has tried its best to share information and offer support to the affected countries.
Many overseas Chinese in Japan voluntarily went to the streets to distribute face masks they went to length to collect, expressing gratitude to the Japanese people for their selfless help to China after the virus outbreak. China has made an emergency donation of nucleic acid detection kits and medical equipment to Iran, which was the first country to extend its sympathy when COVID-19 broke out in China.
"You throw a peach to me; I give you a white jade for friendship." As the line from the Book of Songs goes, the interaction between China and other virus affected countries are the very epitomes of how China and the whole international community have been dealing with global challenges together.
In the trend of mutual help and understanding, people can feel confidence instead of panic and find more ways out of difficulties instead of problems.
However, it is disappointing to see that when the international community joins hands to fight the epidemic, some people still make irresponsible moves to defame China's efforts, and even attack and slander the nation and its people.
China is ready to maintain close communication with relevant countries, the WHO and the international community to share experience in epidemic prevention, coordinate prevention and control measures and better safeguard the health and well-being of all.
People should be aware that at this critical moment, no country will remain safe and sound by taking a beggar-thy-neighbor approach, while the advisable way forward is to tide over difficulties together with mutual support.
Solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon, with people united around the same purpose of prevailing over a disease that threatens all.
source: Xinhua
