WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gives a speech via video during a virtual "Briefing on China's Experience on COVID-19 Response" in Beijing, the capital of China, March 12, 2020. /Xinhua
China's fight against COVID-19 in the past three years has not only protected the lives and health of the Chinese people, but also made important contributions to the international battle against the virus, according to a spokesperson for China's National Health Commission (NHC).
Mi Feng, who made the remarks at a recent press briefing on COVID-19, said China took strong measures to contain the virus at the initial epidemic outbreak, thus buying precious time for the world to get prepared.
The spokesperson said that China will continue to work with the international community to fight COVID-19 and protect people.
Information quickly shared, hundreds of events held
China has held more than 300 technological exchange events about COVID-19 with other countries, regions and international organizations. In addition, China has sent 37 medical expert teams to 34 nations, sharing China's experience with the rest of the world, according to the NHC.
In the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Chinese government released information in a timely, open, transparent and responsible manner, actively responded to concerns of all sides, and enhanced cooperation with the international community, according to a timeline document recording China's response to the epidemic from late December 2019 to March 2020.
The country's regular communication over the outbreak of COVID-19 with the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as relevant countries and regions came on January 3, 2020, said the document.
Starting on February 3, the English official website of China's NHC started releasing COVID-19 information simultaneously, updating the data 58 times as of March 31, 2020.
First country to promise exemption for IP rights of COVID-19 vaccines
China was the first country to promise exemption for IP rights of COVID-19 vaccines, and also the first to cooperate with other developing countries on vaccine production. China has provided over 2.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations.
China is committed to building a global community of health for all and has provided vaccines to the world, especially developing countries. The country actively carried out joint production, which illustrates that COVID-19 vaccines should be considered as a global public good, a concept Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed in a written message to the first meeting of the international forum on COVID-19 vaccine cooperation in August 2021.
"We are willing to work with the international community to promote international vaccine cooperation and build a community with a shared future for humanity," Xi said.
Speaking at the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2021, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the UN Office at Geneva, called on all member states and other parties concerned to expand vaccine production and upgrade production capabilities of developing countries by export, donation, joint research and development, franchised production and transfer of know-how.
Traditional Chinese medicine aids global fight against COVID-19
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), widely used in the global anti-pandemic fight since the onset of COVID-19, has proved to be remarkably effective.
China has held more than 100 video events to introduce TCM treatment to over 150 countries and regions, and sent TCM experts to help epidemic control in over 30 countries and regions, according to its NHC.
In a report released in late March 2022, the WHO confirmed that TCM is beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19, particularly in mild-to-moderate cases.
"There are promising data to suggest that TCM is beneficial in reducing the risk of progression from mild-to-moderate cases to severe COVID-19," a report stated.
"For mild-to-moderate cases, there is encouraging evidence that the studied TCMs, when administered as add-on interventions to conventional treatment, may shorten the time for viral clearance, resolution of clinical symptoms and length of hospital stay when compared to conventional treatment alone."
A woman holds a placard to support China in front of the Tel Aviv Municipality Hall lit up with the colors of China's national flag, in solidarity with China's fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, Tel Aviv, Israel, February 11, 2020. /Xinhua
China appreciates international support in fighting COVID-19
Just as China has helped the world battle COVID-19, countries and international communities around the globe have also supported China, especially during its toughest time.
The support included emergency medical supplies like masks, protective suits and ventilators donated by 77 countries and 12 international organizations, according to a white paper published in June 2020 by the State Council Information Office.
Leaders of more than 170 countries, heads of 50 international and regional organizations, as well as over 300 foreign political parties and organizations, expressed solidarity and support for China through phone calls, letters and statements, it noted.
"China appreciates the understanding and support of the international community, which our people will always cherish," the white paper said.
"The Chinese nation never forgets the help and generosity it receives, and always reciprocates with the same goodwill."