Defeating Covid-19 through Solidarity and Cooperation and Building a Global Health Community

    Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the opening of the virtual 73rd World Health Assembly on May 18, 2020.

    “Defeating Covid-19 through Solidarity and Cooperation and Building a Global Health Community” is the speech delivered at the opening of the virtual 73rd World Health Assembly on May 18, 2020. According to the speech, the history of human civilization is one of fighting disease and overcoming disaster. Viruses do not respect borders, and epidemics do not discriminate between races. Confronted by the ravages of the coronavirus, the international community has not flinched. The people of all countries have tackled the virus head-on. Around the world, people have stood together and looked out for one another. With love and compassion, they have forged a mighty force in the fight against the disease. Through our tremendous effort and enormous sacrifice, China has turned the tide on the virus and managed to protect the health and safety of our people. All along, we have acted with openness, transparency, and responsibility. We are providing information to the WHO and relevant countries in a most timely fashion. We released a genome sequence at the earliest possible moment. We have shared control and treatment experience with the world without reservation, and we have done everything in our power to support and assist countries in need. Even as we meet, the pandemic rages on, and more needs to be done to bring it under control. We should do everything we can to contain the virus, ensure the World Health Organization leads the global response, provide greater support for Africa, strengthen global governance in public health, restore economic and social development, and strengthen international cooperation. The speech announces that China will take five initiatives to boost international cooperation against the coronavirus. The speech calls on all to come together to protect the life and health of people in all countries, to safeguard planet Earth, our common home, and to build a global health community.