Chinese efforts in fighting outbreak acknowledged by WHO officers

Editor's note: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan is a sinologist, former diplomat and non-resident fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Geneva, Switzerland February 6, 2020. /Reuters

In a recent press conference, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said people should be cautious of misinformation and conspiracy theories when it comes to COVID-19. China is a mature country and a responsible state. China is a global power and understands its role very well.

The outbreak of the new coronavirus in the central Chinese city of Wuhan is a recent phenomenon where China has shown its maturity. The Chinese leadership is a visionary and knows the consequences of the outbreak. The first step China took was to cordon off Wuhan and quarantine infected people. To contain the spread, China has resolutely restricted people's movement. People were asked to stay at home and minimize unnecessary gatherings. Universities and educational institutions were closed down and online classes started. Most people are trying their best to perform their work online while staying at home.

China has facilitated the evacuation of foreign nationals whose governments initiated such a move. International travelers were kept in quarantine for two weeks – the incubation period of the new coronavirus. If the tests were clear, they were allowed to travel. Strict implementation of procedures was taken to avoid the spread of the virus to other countries. The Chinese government is taking all possible measures to quarantine people diagnosed with COVID-19 and treat them to prevent the further spread of virus domestically or internationally.

China has mobilized all possible resources to fight the spread of the new coronavirus. Medical supplies and medical teams were pooled from all over the country and dispatched to the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan. The Chinese leadership is taking it as a serious threat and monitoring the whole operation by themselves. President Xi Jinping loves his people and humanity. He is directly issuing instructions from time to time. Premier Li Keqiang has visited Wuhan.

Political will and spirit are high to defeat the epidemic. The general public is also very cooperative. People are public health-conscious and following advice from the experts. The whole nation is fighting the outbreak collectively.

Most sensible nations and individuals are supporting the Chinese initiative and trust China will overcome the epidemic soon. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, has said the control measures implemented at the epicenter of the outbreak have made the continuous decrease of infected cases possible. He noted that "right now the strategic and tactical approach in China is the correct one."

Sylvie Briand, head of the WHO Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness division, said China's "measures on movement restriction have delayed the dissemination of the outbreak by two or three days within China, and two to three weeks outside China." A number of scientists published a statement in The Lancet, saying that "since the outbreak, Chinese scientific research, public health, and medical workers have worked hard and efficiently. It is commendable to work to quickly identify pathogens, take major measures to reduce the impact of the epidemic, and transparently share information and results with the global health community."

On the other hand, some Western media have shown immature, irresponsible and irritating attitudes and published cartoons like the Chinese flag with coronavirus instead of the five golden stars, or remarks like "China is the Real Sick Man of Asia" or referred to the virus as "Made in China." There were cases of discrimination against Chinese people in some Western countries. Even so-called "civilized nations" have expressed the spread of epidemic as an opportunity for them.

As a matter of fact, China is playing a positive role in global public health with its full capacity. The world should not only acknowledge it but also come forward to join hands with the Chinese government to overcome the outbreak. Especially, the developed world, having advanced RD, may extend cooperation in vaccine development. The new coronavirus has been declared as a global threat by the WHO and should be dealt with globally and everyone should contribute their role. It is time to play a positive role, not to spread fake news or make jokes against China. It is a serious issue and must be taken seriously.