[Ambassadors on fighting COVID-19] Pakistani Ambassador: China’s success serves as a source of inspiration and hope for all countries battling COVID-19

      Ms. Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi, the Pakistani ambassador to China, in a written interview with China.org.cn about the COVID-19 pandemic, called for a greater international coordination and cooperation among the global community for curbing and comprehensively eliminating the crisis. She noted that China has displayed openness, transparency and willingness to cooperate with all parties to confront the novel coronavirus outbreak on international front.   

 Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi, Pakistani ambassador to China 

China.org.cn: How do you think the world’s countries should collaborate in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic as it spreads and becomes a common challenge for the international community?

Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi:Covid-19 pandemic is the most serious challenge global community is confronted with since the World War II. This crisis could deal a debilitating blow to international economic growth, regional integration and onward march of globalisation, thereby undoing major achievements humankind has made so far. The current situation, therefore, calls for a greater international coordination and cooperation among the global community for curbing and comprehensively eliminating this menace. 

While the developed countries are also struggling to marshal resources for mitigating the economic impacts of this pandemic, there are the developing nations of Asia, Latin America and Africa which would be adversely affected by the looming global recession. International financial institutions, with coordination of developed countries, need to offer emergency grant and soft-loans to shield them from impingement impacts of ensuing economic crisis.

This crisis should be a moment of reflection for us to revisit and review our previous concepts about issues of transnational health, environment, and economics and reform them in the light of emergent realities for benefit of the entire humanity.

Perhaps, this crisis, colossal as it may be, reaffirms our resolve in multilateralism and bestow world leaders with clarity and courage to shun isolationism for good, and renew faith in joint efforts for a shared and prosperous future for all.

China.org.cn: China has kept the concept of humanity’s shared future in mind, released information about the COVID-19 virus in a timely manner, and shared its experiences related to prevention and control, diagnosis, and treatment since the outbreak emerged. What is your opinion of these kinds of efforts and contributions?

Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi:China has succeeded in turning the tide against viral epidemic and restore normalcy in the entire country. China’s success serves as a source of inspiration and hope for all countries that are battling against this menace in different parts of the globe.

Soon after its outbreak in Wuhan early this year, China took quick, incisive and effective steps to contain the viral epidemic. Taking cognizance of the seriousness of viral epidemic in its early phase, Chinese government enforced a complete lockdown of the entire Hubei Province and effected similar measures in other regions. New hospitals were established in short span of time along with a massive mobilisation of human and capital resource. It was a no small feat to swiftly activate emergency response mechanism and harness ample resources to fight a hitherto unknown virus in such a short span of time. Chinese paramedical staff and doctors laboured with missionary zeal and zest to defeat this disease. Chinese people displayed remarkable resilience and discipline throughout this battle and reposed complete confidence in vision and capability of Chinese leadership to combat this epidemic.

The effectiveness of these measures is proven without doubt by the positive results they have yielded. China has emerged as the only country in the world to have curbed this disease in an effective manner. Economic activities have resumed and I see a renewed vim and vigor in people as we proceed to post-COVID phase in China.

On international front, China displayed openness, transparency and willingness to cooperate with all parties to confront the novel coronavirus outbreak. It immediately shared the genome sequencing of virus with WHO and kept the avenues of international cooperation and consultations open. China is now generously sharing its expertise, equipment and experience with international community to combat the epidemic.

These efforts are indicative of importance of China, as a responsible major power, places on matters of global concern and international cooperation. No wonder China has won accolades from WHO itself and many countries for its leadership role in fight against the viral epidemic.