Editor's note: As China fights against the outbreak of COVID-19, many international friends, including individuals, entities, groups and institutions, have offered their support and blessings to China. This is a letter from Majid Hussain, an undergraduate student, who is studying in Petroleum Engineering College of Southwest Petroleum University, China.

As an undergraduate foreign student of Petroleum Engineering College of Southwest Petroleum University, I would like to express my eyewitness experience of the COVID-19 outbreak in China. It was late January 2020; our semester was almost over. We made a plan to explore the historical sites in China during the coming Chinese New Year holidays. But our plan was demolished and our hopes were ruined because of the deadly epidemic COVID-19 just before the start of New Year holidays. Initially, we took it very lightly and didn't realize the seriousness of the situation, but later on the virus started spreading with rapid pace and created a horrible environment all over China.

Most of the countries evacuated their nationals from China. My parents were also worried about my safety as some international media was trying to create chaos among people through fake news by considering China a non-secure country, but then I tried to convince my parents and all well-wishers by these beautiful teachings of Islam.

As a Muslim, our belief is that whenever such plague breaks out, we should not leave that land but rather face the challenges. We thought that if the Chinese people living here can bear such conditions then why not us.

Later on, the WHO announced guidance and our country Pakistan also released official statement suggesting their nationals not to leave China under such circumstances. I further reminded my parents about the historical relation of our country with China and told them to leave China in their difficult time will not be a good choice. My parents were not only convinced by me, but also encouraged me to stay in China.

It was my first ever experience for going through such calamity outside my country. I was extremely surprised with such preventive measures taken by the Chinese government. Our university administration remained thoroughly involved in educating us about the safety and preventive measures against this virus.

For me, another new experience was that while China was going through this disastrous outbreak, but most of the things went on through alternate ways, like launching online education system, online business and marketing etc. These ideas got high appreciation from the entire student and business community. Chinese citizens stood by their government to fight against the pandemic and proved themselves to be responsible citizens.

Many doctors and nurses in China provided their volunteer services in these challenging circumstances. Some of them even lost their precious lives in serving humanity. Chinese scientists equally played their role in the battle against the COVID-19. The entire nation, including all the scientific community, doctors and every local government, got united to fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Series of decisive actions taken by the Chinese government, the spirit of solidarity, courage, and dedication of the entire nation shown in this crisis helped China to fight against the virus.

After having controlled the epidemic inside China, now it is helping other countries in prevention and control. China sent their medical teams to different countries to help contain the novel coronavirus outbreak. The international community has demonstrated its solidarity with China for fighting against the virus by different means. It's a sense of pride for me that my country Pakistan not only stood by China in this difficult time but our president became the first head of state to visit Beijing since the COVID-19 outbreak.

To sum up, China has gained and lost much during this calamity. China responded to all critical statements about her performance as it is said that actions speak louder than words. Now even those countries, who were previously discriminating China, are also praising and seeking help from China to fight against the virus.

Personally I am happy with my decision to stay in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. As not only me but the entire world admit the fact that in current circumstances, China is a secure place to get rid of the virus, as they have enough knowledge on how to deal with the virus by treating more than 73,000 infected patients and now it is helping rest of the world as well. 

In the end I would personally like to congratulate all the real heroes of China over this historic victory in fighting against coronavirus and my prayers are with the whole world to get rid of this pandemic soon.

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