Dispel Clouds of Pandemic Through Cooperation
用合作的阳光驱散疫情的阴霾
Ambassador Zhang Ming Published an Op-ed
驻欧盟使团团长张明大使在《亚欧期刊》发表署名文章
June 7 2020
2020年6月7日
The start of 2020 saw the outbreak of COVID-19, which has spread globally. This new virus, unknown to mankind, poses a serious threat to life and health. In response to the outbreak, China has adopted the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures to contain the spread of the virus. Assistance in manpower and supplies was rapidly sent to Hubei Province, the city of Wuhan in particular, from across the country. The whole nation has been fighting the virus in solidarity, and managed to bring the situation under control in a relatively short period of time. The achievements would not have been possible but for the enormous sacrifices of the Chinese people, especially those in Wuhan. According to a study published by Science, the containment measures adopted in Wuhan and nationwide in the first 50 days of the outbreak may have prevented more than 700,000 infections, making the number of confirmed cases 96 percent fewer than expected in the absence of interventions. China bought precious time for the rest of the world by building a crucial line of defense.
年初以来，新冠肺炎疫情肆虐全球。这种人类未知的新型病毒严重威胁着人民生命健康安全。为应对疫情，中国迅速采取了最全面、最严格、最彻底的防控举措，果断全面切断病毒传播链条。各省区出人、出力、出物资驰援湖北、武汉，全国人民团结奋战，使疫情在较短时间内得到有效控制。中国为此也付出巨大代价和牺牲，特别是处于疫情中心的武汉人民。《科学》杂志刊登的研究报告表明，在疫情发生最初50天内，武汉的封控措施及中国的应急响应使感染人数减少70多万，病例数减少了96%，中国为世界抗疫构建了关键防线，争取了宝贵的时间。
Since the very beginning, China has provided timely updates on the pandemic in an open, transparent and responsible manner. We shared the virus genome sequence in the shortest possible time, acclaimed by the WHO as record-breaking. We have shared our experience with the WHO and the international community without any reservation, and provided assistance in the best way we could. We have held more than 80 video-conferences with health experts from more than 150 countries, and sent 19 medical teams to 17 countries. The Chinese government and private sectors have or are providing much-needed medical supplies to more than 150 countries and international organizations.
疫情暴发后，我们始终本着公开、透明、负责任态度，及时发布疫情信息，在创纪录短的时间内分享病毒基因序列，毫无保留地同世界卫生组织和国际社会分享防治经验，并尽力为各方提供援助。我们已同150多个国家举行80多场卫生专家视频会议，向17个国家派遣19支医疗专家组。中国政府和民间已经或正在向150多个国家和国际组织提供大量急需的医疗物资。（注：上述数据截至今年4月底）
A virus respects no borders nor distinguishes between races. The pandemic underscores the fact that the destinies of all countries are intertwined in the era of globalization. At this critical moment, China and the EU have chosen to work together to meet the challenges, setting a good example of cooperation and solidarity. When China was at a most difficult time in fighting the outbreak, the EU facilitated the delivery of over 50 tons of medical supplies in three batches from its member states. Such a sign of friendship will always be remembered and cherished by the Chinese people. When the pandemic hit Europe, China, despite its own difficulties at home, sent masks, testing kits and other essential medical supplies to the EU. Chinese governments at various levels, charitable organizations, businesses, chambers of commerce and citizens are extending a helping hand to Europe, and some are assisting European companies in purchasing much-needed supplies from China.
病毒没有国界，疫情不分种族。这次疫情更加凸显出全球化时代，各国休戚与共、命运相连。在此关键时刻，中欧选择了携手互助、共迎挑战，为国际抗疫合作树立了榜样。在中国疫情防控最困难的时候，欧盟积极协调成员国向中国提供三批物资，中国人民将始终铭记并珍视这份友谊。当疫情在欧洲爆发后，中国克服自身困难，向欧盟提供了医用口罩、检测试剂等物资。中国各级政府、慈善组织、企业、商会、个人纷纷向欧方提供支持，并大力协助欧洲各国在华采购急需物资，积极支持欧洲抗疫。
Chinese assistance is a humanitarian action. We do not stand idly by while our friends are out there in difficulties. We have no interest to “compete” with anyone, but are doing our best to help. Our wish is simple. We hope our experience could be useful in helping other countries fight the pandemic and save as many lives as possible.
中方的援助是人道主义援助，我们不会在朋友有难时袖手旁观、避而远之。我们无意搞“援助竞赛”，比较谁给予的援助更多，而是根据我们的能力尽力而为。疫情面前，真诚地同世界各国分享防控经验，帮助各国尽早控制疫情、尽可能挽救更多生命，这是我们的最大心愿。
As the WHO pointed out, we are fighting both the pandemic and the “infodemic”. Disinformation is an enemy to all nations, and China is a victim. Some countries and individuals are resorting to stigma and labeling, inciting racial and national discrimination and poisoning the atmosphere of international cooperation. Such disinformation does no good to the global fight against the pandemic and should be flatly rejected by the whole international community.
正如世卫组织所说，我们正与两种“大流行”斗争，分别是病毒大流行和“虚假信息大流行”。虚假信息是妨碍各国抗疫成效的共同敌人，中国也是虚假信息的受害者。个别国家和人士将病毒标签化、对别国污名化，助长了种族、国别歧视，毒化了国际合作氛围。这类虚假信息对国际合作抗疫有百害而无一利，国际社会应该共同反对。
It is encouraging to note that European countries are working together, and that the situation in some countries is improving. Mr. Jean Monnet, a founding father of the EU, said that Europe will be forged in crises. It is our firm conviction that Europe will emerge stronger and more united from the current crisis. As stated on many occasions, China is happy to see a united, stable, open and prosperous Europe, and China firmly supports the European integration process, supports a united and strong EU, and supports a more active role of Europe in international affairs. This is China’s long-standing policy towards Europe and will not change due to the outbreak.
让人欣慰的是，欧洲各国正在共同努力、合作应对，部分欧洲国家疫情形势正在好转。欧盟创始人之一让·莫内曾说，欧洲是在危机中锻造出来的。我们坚信欧洲经过疫情的考验，一定能更为团结和强大。我们也多次说过，中国乐见一个团结、稳定、开放、繁荣的欧洲，将一如既往地坚定支持欧洲一体化进程，坚定支持欧盟团结壮大，坚定支持欧洲在国际事务中发挥更积极作用。这是中方长期以来坚持的对欧政策，不会因这场疫情而改变。
The full impact of the pandemic is yet to be felt. As the world’s two staunch forces for stability and major economies, China and the EU have a joint responsibility to promote world prosperity and stability, uphold multilateralism and an open world economy, and strengthen international cooperation. Building on what we have already done together, the two sides need to make further efforts to contain the spread of the virus and contribute to a speedy global recovery.
目前，疫情深层次影响正不断显现。作为世界两大稳定力量和两大主要经济体，中欧在促进世界繁荣稳定、维护多边主义和开放型世界经济、加强国际合作等方面肩负共同责任。双方应在前期合作基础上，齐心协力，精诚合作，有效遏制病毒在世界范围蔓延，尽快实现全球复苏。
First, we need to lead the global cooperation on COVID-19. China and the EU need to enhance information-sharing and explore the possibility of establishing a coordinated response mechanism. The two sides could draw on each other’s strengths, encourage companies and research institutes to engage in cooperation on pharmaceutical and vaccine development to make the world more capable and confident of defeating the pandemic.
一是引领全球抗疫合作。中欧应加强信息共享，可探索建立疫情联防联控机制。充分发挥双方优势互补，鼓励企业、科研机构开展药物、疫苗研发等防疫合作，增强世界战胜疫情的能力和信心。
Second, we need to uphold multilateralism. As practitioners of multilateralism, China and the EU should support the WHO in playing it’s due role in the global cooperation on COVID-19, uphold the status and role of the United Nations, and contribute to a coordinated global response, thus lending a strong impetus to the global fight against the pandemic.
二是坚定支持多边主义。作为多边主义践行者，中欧应共同支持世卫组织在全球抗疫合作中发挥应有作用，维护联合国的地位和作用，协调国际社会合作抗击疫情，为打好疫情防控全球阻击战注入强大正能量。
Third, we need to increase support for vulnerable regions. Active efforts should be made to develop joint projects for helping Africa and other developing countries improve their public health systems and enhance their capacity in response to COVID-19. The two sides should step up communication and coordination and work together to address regional and international hotspot and sensitive issues as well as global challenges such as food crisis.
三是加大对脆弱地区支持。积极探索开展联合项目，帮助非洲及广大发展中国家强化公共卫生体系，提高疫情应对能力。双方应加强沟通协调，合作应对国际和地区热点敏感问题，以及粮食危机等国际挑战。
Fourth, we need to strengthen macro policy coordination. Within the framework of G20 and other mechanisms, China and the EU should leverage and coordinate their macro policies to mitigate the negative impact brought by the pandemic on global economy. The two sides should jointly keep global industrial and supply chains stable and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable development.
四是加强宏观政策协调。在二十国集团等机制框架下，联手加大宏观政策对冲力度，减小疫情对全球经济的冲击。共同维护全球产业链、供应链稳定，促进贸易投资自由化便利化，实现更加包容和可持续发展。
The world is almost on pause because of COVID-19. This year’s China-EU agenda has also been affected to some degree. Yet the two sides have maintained close communication. Chinese and EU leaders stay in touch by telephone and correspondence. The closely-watched negotiations on the China-EU investment agreement have been held as scheduled through video conferencing. Trials and tribulations will only make us stronger. I am convinced that cooperation is like sunshine. It will help dispel the dark clouds of the pandemic and usher in a brighter future for China-EU relations.
这场疫情几乎让世界陷入停滞，今年的中欧交往议程也受到一定影响，但双方之间一直保持着密切沟通交流。不仅领导人之间保持着密切的电话、信函沟通，广泛关注的中欧投资协定谈判也以视频会议形式如期举行了多轮。沉舟侧畔千帆过、病树前头万木春。我坚信合作的阳光将驱散病毒的阴霾，也期盼中欧关系迎来更美好的明天！