Interview: China's fight against COVID-19 worthy of applause, says expert

The courage, responsible attitude, and professional and decisive measures China has shown in its fight against COVID-19 are worthy of applause from the world, a Lao expert has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Sikhoun Bounvilay, secretary of the Lao-Chinese Friendship Association Committee, commented on the release of a white paper entitled "Fighting COVID-19: China in Action" from June 7.

The white paper, released by the Chinese State Council Information Office, chronicled China's painstaking yet effective efforts to fight the virus, to share its experience with the rest of the world, and to clarify its ideas on the global battle.

The China expert said that in the face of the previously unknown virus, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government attached great importance to the epidemic prevention and control, and carried out timely restriction measures.

Sikhoun said that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with General Secretary Xi Jinping at its core, China has put in place an efficient system which has made it possible for the country to win its all-out people's war against the virus.

"The general secretary and the Chinese party led the Chinese people to set an example for the global anti-epidemic battle," said Sikhoun Bounvilay.

"China emphasizes putting the health and the lives of the people first, and clearly and resolutely calls on all people to fight the battle for epidemic prevention and control," said the Lao expert, adding that China's campaign has reduced panic and increased confidence around the world, and has offered an example to defeat the unknown virus.

"China has adopted the most comprehensive, strict, and thorough prevention and control measures, unprecedentedly adopted large-scale isolation measures, and unprecedentedly mobilized national resources to carry out large-scale medical treatment. This is a responsible attitude towards the people, the world, and history," said Sikhoun.

Commenting on China's call of unity and solidarity of all countries in the white paper, the Lao expert said, "China has always upheld the belief of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has been shouldering the responsibility of a major country, fighting side by side with other countries to overcome difficulties."

"China immediately informed the international community, including Laos, of the epidemic situation, sharing prevention and treatment experiences with the Lao side," he said.

As to China's commitment to international cooperation in the face of the pandemic, Sikhoun noted the arrival of the Chinese medical teams in Laos.

"The arrival of the Chinese medical teams were warmly welcomed and praised by the Lao government and people, and the teams' work gained full trust from the Lao side," he said.

"Laos does not have enough industrial capabilities to produce anti-epidemic materials, and the medical supplies from China have solved the urgent needs of Laos," he added.

Including Laos, China has sent medical expert teams to 27 countries and shared anti-epidemic information with over 180 countries and more than 10 international and regional organizations.

The Lao government announced on Wednesday an initial victory in the battle against COVID-19 after all 19 patients infected by the virus were discharged from hospitals and no new cases were detected for 59 consecutive days.

Laos announced its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 24, with its last patient discharged on Tuesday.

(by Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua, Zhang Jianhua)