Editor's note: Iram Khan is a Pakistan-based commentator on international affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to cause devastation around the world, China and Africa held an extraordinary online summit on June 17 to boost international cooperation in the disease's control. The two sides have a history of working together to mitigate problems and this latest high-profile meeting will further accelerate the pace of collaborations.

The event, titled Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, was chaired by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and leaders of African nations and delegates from the African Union Commission (AUC) also graced the occasion. Meanwhile, the attendance of the UN Secretary-General and World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General allowed them to hear the delegates' messages firsthand.

The highlight of the forum was President Xi's keynote speech. Although he amply stressed the enhancing of China-Africa relations and upholding multilateralism, his main focus remained on COVID-19 as sacrifices of the Chinese people and the united front of African people are gradually bringing it under control.

When the pandemic was ravaging one region after another, international bodies like the WHO were concerned about Africa's underdeveloped medical infrastructure and its ability to cope with the challenge. Fortunately, however, the young population and relatively higher immunity levels in the continent did not let the situation deteriorate to uncontrollable levels.

Another reason for the relatively stable spread in Africa was China's timely and valuable assistance. When the country was at the height of its own battle with the virus, Africa delivered crucial support. Remembering that, China adopted a multi-pronged approach in bolstering Africa's capabilities: provision of protective and testing equipment, provision of medicine and ventilators and, most importantly, deployment of Chinese medical experts in a number of African countries.

Since China was one of the earliest countries to be affected by the disease, its doctors and nurses had a head start in gaining experience. Similarly, China was one of the earliest countries that contained the widespread infection. To share that unique knowledge, it opened its arms to the world and Africa was a region where this exchange was needed the most. 

This was not the first time China came to Africa's help in a time of medical crisis. During the 2014 Ebola outbreak, when other countries were evacuating their citizens and professionals, Chinese medical teams were landing in various capitals of Africa. A concerted fight continued and ultimately that challenge also was successfully overcome.

China has invested itself heavily in the future of Africa. Numerous Chinese companies are working to uplift infrastructure that will improve trade activities on the continent. Likewise, Chinese investment projects are increasing employment opportunities and allowing people to reach out to international markets. It is essential that business activities resume as soon as possible and, for this reason, defeating COVID-19 is paramount.

Another noteworthy aspect of China's support is its suspension of debt repayments for 77 low-income countries and regions, many of whom are from Africa. This is particularly important because, in addition to being a health crisis, COVID-19 is taking an immense economic toll on the global economy. The greatest sufferers are, again, developing nations.

During his speech, President Xi stated that within the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) framework, China will cancel debts of relevant African countries through interest-free government loans that are maturing by the end of this year. Moreover, he pledged to work with the international community to extend debt service suspension to the countries hit the hardest by the virus.

The Wednesday summit builds on the protocols established under FOCAC whose 20th anniversary is being marked this year. FOCAC is an extraordinary platform that streamlines collective endeavors in the development and industrialization of Africa. More importantly, under the ongoing situation, the health care initiative announced at the 2018 FOCAC summit held in Beijing is proving exceptionally useful in augmenting Africa's capability to fight the contagion.

China is now aggressively pursuing the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Being the world's second-largest economy that capitalizes on a strong innovation base, it wields resources for research and development that many countries in Africa do not have.

President Xi has already declared that to ensure its accessibility and affordability in the developing world, a China-developed vaccine will serve as a global public good. At the summit, he reiterated his commitment that African countries will be the first to benefit from the Chinese vaccine.

Obviously, the relations between China and Africa transcend the ups and downs of the international political landscape as both uphold a long-standing desire to pursue solidarity. With the ongoing joint efforts, Chinese and African people will come out triumphant from this testing time as well.

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