Recently, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng published a signed article entitled "Hand in Hand, We Stand" in the mainstream media of Barbados including The Advocate Newspaper and Barbados Today on battling against the novel coronavirus pneumonia. Following is the full context of Ambassador Yan's article:
Hand in Hand, We Stand
Recently, the novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP, or COVID-19) has become a severe challenge to both China and the international community. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the Chinese government, under the leadership of H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, immediately set up a nationwide mechanism to mobilize necessary resources to fight against this epidemic, with the aim of protecting as more lives as possible and bringing people's life to normal as soon as possible. This goal is not limited only in China nor only for Chinese people, but also globally, because we know that in today's interconnected world, this epidemic is a threat to the health and safety of all mankind.
To fulfill this task, the Chinese government has taken very comprehensive, stringent and thorough prevention and control measures, many of which are well beyond what is required by the International Health Regulations and the recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). With the Chinese people's resolve, hard work and sometimes even sacrifice of their lives, as well as with the support from WHO and other friendly countries and international organizations globally, the epidemic is generally under control. For example, outside Hubei Province where the epidemic first broke out and heavily hit, the number of confirmed cases has been declining for 12 consecutive days until the midnight on February 15th, 2020. There is also a rapid increase in the cure rate, and more than 9,000 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. The case fatality rate is contained as low as about 2.2 percent nationwide and just 0.49 percent outside Hubei Province, which is far below the level caused by Ebola, MERS and H1N1 in recent history. These facts and data show that China's decisive response is both on the right track and effective, and the outbreak can be controlled and cured. We will continue to stick to this path until the final success.
As a responsible major country, China is not only putting the Chinese people's life and health on our priority, but also caring about people in other countries and trying to ensure the integrity of the global public health. With this principle in mind, China has from the very start acted in an open and transparent manner to release relevant information to the global community and seek international cooperation to prevent the spread of and find solutions to the epidemic. To date, the number of confirmed cases outside China is less than 1 percent of the total. We can say that China not only safeguards the life and health of the Chinese people but also contributes to global public health safety with their own efforts and sacrifices. By doing so, the Chinese government and people have won the respect and recognition from the international community. On multiple occasions, WHO has commended China for its responsible actions, spoke highly of China's decisive response and expressed confidence that China will overcome this epidemic.
Virus respects no borders. It requires a collective response from the international community. Fighting against the virus is in the interests of the people of the whole world. The international community should work together to overcome difficulties, rather than just watching the fire of epidemic burning, or even making things worse for those who are already in difficulties.
There's a Chinese saying, "adversity reveals true friendship." Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the Chinese Embassy has received lots of supporting message and help from all walks of life in Barbados. We also noted that the government of Barbados, evidence-based and taking account of WHO recommendations, has decided not to adopt travel restrictions toward Chinese people, while carrying out very objective, scientific and rational precaution measures, by strengthening the screening and other measures in airport and seaport of entry, to safeguard the health and wellness of the people on this island. In this regard, we do appreciate Barbados government and people's confidence and supports to us on fighting against the epidemic. And at the same time, I also want to reassure all Barbadian people that the Chinese government is carrying out effective measures to protect the safety, health and normal life of all foreign citizens in China, including those of your children, your friends and your people who are currently in China. It is just because this is what the Chinese people treat guests visiting us.
While the epidemic is ruthless, we can find warmth and caring in human society. No matter how severe this epidemic appears as it first showed, I believe that with the united efforts, we, the Chinese people together with Barbadian people and people all over the world can come over this epidemic challenge in the not too distant future. At that time, our human society will become more resilient, united and strong after one more test in our human history. And at that time, the Chinese people will continue to march confidently toward the goal of establishing a society of moderate prosperity in all respects and embark on a new journey of modernization. And at that time, the Chinese people will further strengthen our belief in the role of international cooperation in dealing with global challenges, and will continue to work with our Barbadian friends and friends from all over the world, for the sake of the health and happiness of all human beings, to build the community with shared future for mankind.
