UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns no country is healthy and safe unless all are at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19 on Wednesday.

The summit, held via video link, was jointly proposed by China, South Africa, the rotating chair of the African Union (AU), and Senegal, the co-chair of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

"I welcome the initiative of China, South Africa and Senegal in organizing this summit on China-Africa solidarity in fighting COVID-19 and its consequences. I am sure that the outcomes of the Summit will lead to even stronger China-Africa cooperation," said the Secretary-General.

He believed that this summit would promote the development of a stronger China-African cooperative relationship. "Unity can ensure that treatment and testing are universally available, and that first responders and essential workers have adequate protection."

As of Wednesday, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa is 260,233 with 7,019 deaths and 118,992 recoveries, according to Africa CDC. As one of the major partners of Africa, China is not only providing its experience in fighting the virus, but also providing medical materials to help African countries combat the pandemic.

It's reported that an estimated 280 million U.S. dollars of coronavirus crisis-related aid and support has come from China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, speaking at the summit, promised to help in building hospitals and sending medical experts to African countries.

The chief also expressed the unity and support both African and Chinese leaders urged for is the core of multilateralism, and would also promote the development and provision of the COVID-19 vaccine as a global public product to everyone.

"The solidarity can develop and distribute a vaccine that is seen as a global public good, affordable and available to all, a people's vaccine, as both African leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping have been asking for."

He also called on the international community to act to help African countries strengthen the public health system and mentioned the unity of China and Africa as a vital part of this effort.

"We have been calling for international action to strengthen Africa's health systems, maintain food supplies and production, avoid a financial crisis, support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings."

"China's solidarity with Africa is a vital part of this effort.  I have also been calling for a global response package amounting to at least 10 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP)." he said." For Africa, that means more than 200 billion U.S. dollars as additional support from the international community. "

China will cancel the debt of relevant African countries in the form of interest-free government loans that are due to mature by the end of 2020 within the FOCAC framework, Xi announced at the epidemic summit.

In early June, China has also announced repayment suspension for 77 developing countries and regions, including those in Africa, as part of a G20 program.

Ambassador Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman, the Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, told Global Times that China's success in containing the virus is an example other countries can learn from. The Africa CDC is supported by China and Chinese scientists are working together with their African counterparts.

Thanks to the policies that the African continent has adopted together with the assistance provided by China, Africa remains one of "the least affected" continents, he said.

Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also attended the meeting as a special guest.

(With input from agencies)