The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized China for its response to COVID-19. Recently, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, during his controversial visit to Taiwan, once again berated China for "choosing not to work with the world on dealing with the pandemic." Such comments have become overused tactics in the U.S. government's playbook to deflect from its own COVID-19 debacle. China's handling of the pandemic was surely in no way perfect, just like that of any other country. However, China has in fact led the global response to COVID-19 in many senses. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, executive director of the Pakistan-China Institute, shares his views on the issue.