China stands united with the world to combat COVID-19

Lands apart, destiny shared. Cooperation, unity and solidarity across borders are vital for the world, a community of shared future, to fight against COVID-19. China will stand united with the world and be a friend in need.

As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide is approaching 100,000, more and more officials and experts have urged the international community to learn China's experience in containing the epidemic.

A poster shows inspiring phrases in various languages for the fight against the COVID-19. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe, Shi Manke)

Up to 2,241 new cases have been reported across the globe in the past 24 hours, bringing the total count to 95,333 as of Thursday, according to the latest official data by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Among some of the worst-hit countries, South Korea reported a total of 6593 cases with 43 deaths on Friday, up by 309.

A poster shows inspiring phrases in Chinese and Korean for the fight against the COVID-19. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe, Shi Manke)

Iran said Thursday that the death toll from COVID-19 has risen to 107, up by 92. The total number of infections increased to 3,513, up by 591. The country launched Thursday a national plan to combat the outbreak.

A poster shows inspiring phrases in Chinese and Persian for the fight against the COVID-19. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe, Shi Manke)

By Thursday, Italy has confirmed 3,296 cases with 148 deaths. The Italian government has announced the closure of all schools and universities across the country until March 15 at least.

A poster shows inspiring phrases in Chinese and Italian for the fight against the COVID-19. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe, Shi Manke)

Japan has confirmed 1,023 cases by Thursday, with 706 linked to the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was previously quarantined near Tokyo. The government announced that tests for COVID-19 will be covered under Japan's national health insurance system starting from Friday.

A poster shows inspiring phrases in Chinese and Japanese for the fight against the COVID-19. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe, Shi Manke)

To find the best way to contain a further spread of COVID-19, many officials and experts have turned their eyes to China's anti-epidemic experience.

Health experts from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Turkmenistan and the secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization have already learned China's experience via a video conference with Chinese health authorities.

China's experience has shown that fundamental measures do work to contain COVID-19, such as measures of identifying cases and contacts, and mobilizing population, said Maria van Kerkhove, technical lead for the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, on Thursday, calling on other countries to make full use of them.■