Globalization remains irreversible, even amid epidemic

By Yan Yu, People's Daily Overseas Edition

Voices of anti-globalization spiked despite the global efforts to contain the COVID-19 which is currently spreading to more and more countries.

Some accused globalization for exacerbating the spread of the virus, while some tried to build barriers in the “global village” by instigating tension between races. Some became pessimistic, taking the epidemic as the last straw breaking the back of globalization.

It is true that the prevention and control measures taken by countries have to some extent slowed the transnational flow of personnel, materials and capital, and inevitably brought a temporary impact on the world economy. However, being pessimistic over globalization or discarding it is by no means the right thing to do for the moment.

Take a look at China’s interaction with the world since the onset of the COVID-19, you’ll find that globalization and international cooperation are exactly an efficient tactic in fighting the epidemic.

The exchange of information remained functional. After the outbreak, China timely informed the international community, and shared the genetic sequence, primer and probe at the first opportunity, laying an important foundation for the world to carry out studies on the virus, researches on test reagent, development of medicines and vaccines, as well as prevention and control efforts.

What remains active is also the flow of materials. Many countries and international organizations donated tremendous prevention materials to China when the latter was on short supply. Similarly, China also donated $20 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) to help the global health authority better conduct international cooperation on combating the virus as the epidemic is rapidly penetrating the borders of more and more countries. Besides, China also donated emergency medical supplies to affected countries and organizations including Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and African Union.

In addition, exchanges of experience and mutual learning have been running smoothly. The WHO sent a joint mission to China for field inspection in early February, providing China and the world with advice on prevention and control.

On the other hand, China, while working hard to fight the disease at home, shared multiple technical documents with over 100 countries and a dozen of international and regional organizations, such as plans on epidemic prevention and treatment. It also conducted 20 technological exchanges with international and regional organizations and relevant countries through teleconference and other channels.

Cooperation between China and the world has never been impeded by the epidemic. In fact, it is the international cooperation that helps all countries better cope with epidemic, and once again proves that globalization is the general trend of the times.

The world is a community with a shared future. As the epidemic concerns all, solidarity and cooperation remain the most powerful weapon to prevail over it. All countries should work together, and take it as a new opportunity to promote global governance system featuring cooperation, rather than allowing the forces of anti-globalization and protectionism to grow wild and defame globalization.

“This is not the time to give up. This is not a time for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops.” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Globalization will not be reversed, and no country can develop in isolation from the rest of the world. To get around the rampant epidemic, all countries must hold the vision for a community with a shared future for mankind and resort to international cooperation on all fronts, so as to jointly safeguard the shared planet.

Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition

Assisted by the Chinese Embassy in Iraq, a group of experts from the Red Cross Society of China discuss COVID-19 prevention and control with officials from Iraq’s Ministry of Health and Environment in Baghdad, before making a field trip to Medical City for exchanges of experience, March 9 local time. (Photo from the official website of the Red Cross Society of China)