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Friday, March 13, 2020, 10:17
Xi says nation will overcome virus outbreak
By An Baijie
Friday, March 13, 2020, 10:17 By An Baijie

In this June 28, 2019 photo, President Xi Jinping (right) meets with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Osaka, Japan. Xi held a phone conversation with Guterres on the novel coronavirus outbreak on March 12, 2020. (PANG XINGLEI / XINHUA)

China will definitely defeat the novel coronavirus outbreak and achieve its economic and social development goals, President Xi Jinping said on Thursday.

Xi made the remark in a phone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Xi noted that since the outbreak of the disease, Guterres had expressed sympathy in a letter to him. He added that the UN leader had spoken highly of China's prevention and control measures, and expressed support for China's efforts to fight against the COVID-19.

Xi told the UN chief that he was confident of final victory in the battle against COVID-19

Xi expressed gratitude to Guterres. He said that thanks to the great efforts made by the Chinese people, the disease prevention and control situation is progressing well, production is being restored at a fast pace and people's livelihoods are being safeguarded.

China will maintain its prudent measures on disease prevention and control, and push forward with work on economic and social development at the same time, Xi said, adding that he is confident of final victory in the battle against the disease.

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Xi stressed that the Chinese people's hard work has won precious time for and made important contributions to other countries' epidemic prevention and control.

Noting that with COVID-19 having recently occured and spread in a number of countries, the situation is worrying, he urged the international community to take urgent action and carry out effective international cooperation in joint prevention and control, so as to form a strong concerted force to combat the disease.

China stands ready to share its experience with other countries, carry out joint research and development on drugs and vaccines, and offer as much assistance as it can to countries where the disease is spreading, Xi said.

READ MORE: WHO expert: China has taught us lessons

He added that China supports the United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) in mobilizing the international community to enhance policy coordination, expand resources input, and particularly help developing countries with poor public health systems prepare themselves for prevention and response.

China, he said, has announced a US$20-million donation to the WHO in support of its efforts to organize international actions against the epidemic.

Xi urged the international community to take urgent action and carry out effective international cooperation in joint prevention and control, so as to form a strong concerted force to combat the disease

The epidemic has once again demonstrated that mankind is a community with a shared future that shares weal and woe, Xi stressed, adding that in the era of economic globalization, COVID-19 will not be the world's last major emergency, and various traditional and non-traditional security issues will constantly bring about new tests.

The international community has to see humanity as one community with a shared future, look out for one another, and join hands to tackle risks and challenges and build a beautiful planet, said Xi.

READ MORE: WHO declares virus outbreak a pandemic, seeks urgent action

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, Xi said China supports the international community in taking that as an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism, and reinforce and improve the global governance system with the United Nations at the core.

The Chinese side, he added, will continue supporting the work of the world body.

For his part, Guterres said he is very pleased with and congratulates China on the significant decrease of COVID-19 cases in China.

The UN chief said he believed that with firm determination and strong resilience, China would both overcome the epidemic and restore economic order in a rapid manner, which not only serves the interests of the Chinese people, but also represents an important contribution to the world.

The United Nations thanked China for helping countries currently in difficulties to fight against COVID-19, said Guterres, adding that the world body appreciates China's sharing of experience in epidemic prevention and control with developing countries and provision of such valuable assistance as medical supplies, vaccines and medicines.

He said that China's support is crucial to multilateralism, and that the United Nations hoped to further deepen its cooperation with China in climate change, sustainable development and various other fields, and looked forward to China playing an important leading role in international affairs.

With Xinhua inputs

anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn


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