With the support of friends all over the world, the Chinese people will defeat the epidemic

Recently, China’s strenuous efforts in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic have begun to show promising results. Although the numbers of confirmed and suspect cases are still high, the increment across all provinces in China, excluding Hubei province, has been dropping rapidly for seven consecutive days. Instead, we see a sharp rise in the number of cured and discharged cases.

Thanks to the prompt efforts by the Chinese government in sharing firsthand information about the epidemic to the World Health Organization and other countries and cooperating with all sides on epidemic prevention in a timely manner, less than 1 percent of all the confirmed cases so far have happened outside China. This, to a large extent, is because of the meticulous restrictive measures taken by the Chinese government to prevent the exportation of the epidemic, as well as the strictest measures of self-isolation taken by the Chinese people.

Every province, every city and every citizen in China is fully rallied, as we stand our ground and rise to face the challenge. It is now a people’s war, and it is everyone’s war.

Joining forces like no other, 1.4 billion Chinese people aborted the usual festivities of the Chinese New Year such as visiting, gathering and parties. They secluded themselves at home, in accordance with the requests from the government and local communities. A campaign of self-isolation on a grand scale is being carried out, as we understand that is the most effective way to stop the virus from further spreading.

Moreover, China has been doing all this not only for itself but for the whole world. 

One altruism embedded in the 5,000-year Chinese civilization is that one should sacrifice his self-interests for the collective interests of the community. Today, when humanity is tested by this gruesome epidemic, the Chinese people have once again demonstrated this national spirit. It is this spirit that has guided the Chinese nation and civilization through the trials of time. It is also this very spirit that will lead the Chinese government and people today to the final victory in the fight against the epidemic.

Our confidence also comes from the invaluable support and aid from the international community. By the end of Feb 5, 21 countries and international organizations, including Malaysia, have offered assistance by donating to China medical supplies in large quantities. Friends from around the world have pledged their much-needed support to China by different means. This has proved to the Chinese government and the Chinese people that we are not alone in this critical fight.

I was more than once deeply moved by the precious support from both the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has positively remarked that the Malaysian government would provide assistance, when needed, in forms of food supply and medical essentials such as face masks and gloves to Hubei province and other areas in China. 

Two weeks ago, along with Teresa Kok, minister of primary industries, I attended the donation ceremony where the Malaysian side had donated 18 million clinical gloves to Wuhan. Video clips, sent to me constantly over the last two weeks, in which Malaysian people are chanting “Wuhan jiayou” (“Keep on fighting, Wuhan”) had tugged at the heartstrings of myself and my colleagues at the Chinese embassy and consulates. We have already forwarded the clips to China, hoping to make the voices of the Malaysian people heard — that our Malaysian friends are standing with us, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder.

Among these video clips, those from the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association and other tourism associations in Malaysia had drawn my special attention. I am fully aware that many Malaysian friends working in the tourism industry are now having a really hard time since the epidemic struck. Some of them even cannot make ends meet in the coming one or two months, as all the tours from China are canceled. Yet what comes from them is definitely not any blame nor complaint, but genuine, enthusiastic cheers and encouragement for Wuhan, for China. 

I am also grateful for the various kinds of donations from our Malaysian friends and organizations from all walks of life. When I thanked one of our old friends in Malaysia for his donation, he just replied with a few simple words: a small contribution in time of need. Every word of support and every form of assistance is a help in need and in time, and it demonstrates the unwavering friendship between China and Malaysia in times of adversity. 

Here, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all Malaysian friends who have been supporting our efforts in fighting the epidemic, for your invaluable support in this time of trial. Thank you, Malaysia!

Viruses, regardless of type, are the common enemies of the human race. To fight against and eventually quench the outbreak of the novel coronavirus requires, of course, global collaboration. As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said, “This is the time for science, not rumors. This is the time for solidarity, not stigma.” Only by standing as one and fighting as one can we grasp the final triumph in our hands.

History will remember not only the arduous endeavors by the Chinese people in this fight against the novel coronavirus, but also how people all over the world have joined hands and together defended humanity.

As the Chinese people always say, “Adversity helps to build a stronger nation.” I strongly believe that with the support from our friends all over the world, including Malaysia, the brave and persistent Chinese people will defeat the epidemic and stand triumphant in the end.

The author is Chinese ambassador to Malaysia.