Editor's note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language opinion column "The Real Point."

China is expressing appreciation for the support the international community offered to its fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, showing a willingness to provide aid within its capacity to other countries affected by the virus to protect global health security. As the saying goes, the favor of a drop of water shall be rewarded with the gratitude of a gushing spring.

Since the outbreak of the virus, leaders of more than 170 countries and over 40 international and regional organizations have expressed sympathy with and support for China in its battle against the contagion. People from all walks of life in many countries — some not wealthy themselves — have provided assistance in various forms.

With help from around the world and by its own efforts, China has made notable progress in containing the spread of the virus. The number of newly confirmed cases on the Chinese mainland, excluding Hubei Province, dropped to single digits for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. 

A joint World Health Organization (WHO)-China mission said after visiting the epicenter of the outbreak that the country's daily number of new cases had shown a downward trend compared to its peak level, and that China, as the first line of defense in the fight to prevent the international spread of this virus, had created a window of opportunity for the rest of the world to act. The WHO has also repeatedly expressed concerns over countries with weak health systems.

Viruses know no boundaries. Over the past few days, COVID-19 has been rapidly spreading in other parts of the world, including Japan, South Korea, Iran, Italy, and some North African countries. China, with more experience in dealing with the outbreak, is also helping those countries by donating breathing apparatuses, face masks and testing kits as well as providing expertise in establishing labs for the new coronavirus tests. 

Thanks to support of the WHO and China, the number of African countries with a COVID-19 testing capacity has increased from two to 26 in the past three weeks, and it is projected to reach 47 by the end of this month, the African Union has said.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said earlier this week that while a sudden increase in new cases of COVID-19 was of concern, the spread of the coronavirus was not yet a pandemic. But he stressed the need to focus on containment "while doing everything we can to prepare for a potential pandemic."

As world renowned British sociologist Martin Albrowhas said, tackling major public health emergencies such as the new coronavirus requires collective wisdom and collaboration, and global crises highlight the importance of building a community of shared future for mankind. Only by looking out for and helping each other, can the world overcome the epidemic and get back on track at an early date.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)