This undated photo shows Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CHINESE EMBASSY IN UK )

LONDON - Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said Tuesday that stigmatizing China only distracts attention from the global efforts needed to beat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Liu said that "the battle cannot be won unless the world comes together, as no country is immune to the virus."

In an opinion piece published on the Financial Times, Liu said that "the battle cannot be won unless the world comes together, as no country is immune to the virus."

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"Safeguarding the health and wellbeing of the people of the world is just as important as protecting one's own people," Liu said, adding that the initial success in China has bolstered international confidence in beating the virus and China has valuable lessons for the world in how to fight COVID-19.

The ambassador said that in a recent campaign of stigmatization, China has been accused of covering up data, while the World Health Organization is accused of being controlled by China. Some have even demanded an apology and compensation from China, he said.

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"This 'political virus,' born of prejudice and ignorance, distracts attention from the real efforts required to meet this crisis," Liu said. "In face of a raging pandemic, international cooperation is not a choice but a must-do."