United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (left) speaks on the situation regarding the COVID-19 at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. Guterres praised China's contribution to the global fight against COVID-19, noting that the Chinese are making efforts for humanity. Photo: Xinhua

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, Chinese people have been brought closer together and have achieved positive outcomes in the fight against the deadly virus. Being on the very frontline of this battle, we are widely supported by the international community. Over 170 state leaders have sent messages of condolences, with quite a few countries offering a helping hand, warming our hearts through their real actions. This fight against the virus is both a challenging crisis and an important examination, which allows us to observe China and the world from unique perspectives.

First, this fight is a magnifying glass that fully displays the strength of China. Within a mere 10 days, two specialized improvised hospitals, Huoshenshan and Leishenshan, rose from the ground, covering an area of about 110,000 square meters with 2,500 beds for infected patients. "China Speed" again impressed the world. The Wuhan city government took action to regulate the outflow of citizens, for the purpose of containing the virus from spreading. In terms of medical aid, more than 330 medical teams, consisting of tens of thousands of military and civilian medical staff, have assembled in Hubei Province from across the country. In tandem with the appearance of these medical teams, support systems have been established in 19 provinces and municipalities to help cities in Hubei battle the epidemic. Mask manufacturers nationwide promptly resumed operation during the Lunar New Year holidays. These examples testify to the national strength of China, especially its ability to mobilize the whole nation in a quick manner.

China upholds the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, being responsible for the lives of the Chinese people, and the cause of protecting global public health. From the very beginning of this battle, China has been open and transparent. It has kept the international community informed with timely updates on the epidemic and strengthened cooperation. With unremitting efforts, the cross-border spread of the virus has been effectively reduced, with the number of confirmed cases abroad accounting for less than 1 percent of the total. Owing to the sacrifices the Chinese people have made, China has contributed to global public health, garnering praise from the WHO and many other nations. As WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted, "China is setting a new standard for outbreak response."

As a microscope, the fight zooms in on the friendship between China and the world. Thirty-three foreign governments and four international organizations have provided China with medical supplies. Chinese people really appreciate this timely help. A friend in need is a friend indeed. 

People in many countries are taking real actions to endorse conscience raising and justice, while rejecting prejudice and injustice with increased confidence and strength. Teenagers in Naples, Italy started a "hug-the-Chinese" flash mob to stop discrimination. A Japanese girl in Tokyo wore a traditional Chinese dress called qipao as she collected donations to Wuhan. She was quoted as saying "What's horrible is the virus, not China." High school students in the UK gave their best wishes to China by singing the Chinese song "Fill the World with Love." Students in Ethiopia learned to say "Stay strong, China" in Putonghua to show their support. The virus is cold but there is warmth in humanity. It is for sure their kindness will be reciprocated.

Seen as a telescope, the fight to contain the virus outlines the prospect of a shared future for mankind. "Though miles apart, we are under the same weather and the same moonlight, as if we never parted." Instead of a seemingly distant vision, the concept of a community with a shared future is increasingly becoming a reality.

A virus knows no borders and no one can stand alone. As Ghebreyesus put it, "The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. We are all in this together, and we can only stop it together." 

President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea said, "We take China's difficulty as ours." Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said in a video, "Stay strong, China; Thailand stands with you." Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif quoted a line from an ancient Chinese poem "Together we stand, my armors thine," noting that "Iran stands firmly with China." Japanese people described the joint efforts made by China and Japan against the epidemic as "sharing blood and breath." Some young men and women in Germany chanted "I am China" to encourage global efforts in fighting the virus, emphasizing that all countries' interests and future are intertwined.

This fight, as an evil-exposing flashlight, also reveals "dark forces." Those so-called anti-China forces constitute but a handful of the world's population, yet their evil intentions and subsequent wrongdoings and misconceptions cast a shadow on the joint efforts to defeat the epidemic, reflecting their inveterate prejudice and discrimination against China, and a mind-set filled with arrogance and ignorance. Certain high-level officials of some countries talked sarcastically about China's response to the epidemic. An American official claimed that the epidemic would help accelerate the return of jobs to the US. Der Spiegel, a German journal, published a cover image titled "Coronavirus: Made in China." Even some intellectuals insulted China disregarding the academic spirit. For instance, the Wall Street Journal carried an article by an American scholar titled "China Is the Real Sick Man of Asia." These voices are the opposite of the mainstream supportive tone, deliberately creating and spreading panic. These people have lost their moral compass and have dishonored themselves at home and around the world.

We should work together to overcome these difficulties. In this fight for people's health and well-being, what really matters is mutual understanding, trust and support, which transcends nations and borders. Chinese people are willing to expand international cooperation in this fight against the coronavirus, especially in areas such as vaccine development. 

History has proved that Chinese people never collapse in the face of hardships. They become stronger and braver. We Chinese people cherish the goodwill and fear no ill intent from others, and are absolutely confident and capable of winning this battle.

The author is an international affairs observer. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn