The unswerving fighting spirit repeatedly exuded by their national women's volleyball team on the international stage has long been a source of pride for the Chinese people. This admirable trait has now seeped into every pore of the country's all-out war against the COVID-19 since the outbreak began earlier this year, declared Zhu Ting, the world's most well-paid volleyball star. 

Speaking on Friday during a Q&A event of the "Two Sessions" – the highly anticipated annual assembly of the national legislature and the top political advisory body, Team China captain Zhu expressed pride in women's volleyball players serving as role models for frontline healthcare workers as reports emerged that a Wuhan hospital nurse painted a cartoon version of the Chinese skipper on her hazmat suit.

"I was quite moved and proud of it. To be honest, I just did what I was required to do as a player, but this story once again reminded us of the value and strength that the women volleyball team's spirit has informed," said Zhu, who received China's Youth Award last month after playing an important role in their World Cup triumph in 2019.

"We did defend the World Cup title with a perfect record, but people heaped praises on us not just because we clinched another trophy, but because the road to the summit is fraught with difficulties," the 25-year-old spiker added. 

"Sometimes, even thought we all know deep down that it's impossible to win the title, we still tried our utmost, no matter win or lose. We never give up and accept defeat. We work tirelessly as a whole to fight till the end for our motherland. This is the spirit of our women's volleyball team and this also represents the spirit of the Chinese nation," she observed.  

Zhu pointed out that the mushrooming of this spirit has inspired one generation after another, both within the team and across the country, which is vital to China's effective containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"People from all walks of life are currently translating this spirit into actions. The nurses in Wuhan risk their lives to save each and every patient. Tens of millions community workers and citizens grit their teeth and do whatever it takes to fight the coronavirus." 

"There are likely to be more bumps on the road ahead. Hopefully, we will coordinate our efforts and keep up the fight," she beamed.