Illustration: Luo Xuan/GT

When China was aiding Western countries in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and sharing the country's experience with the world, French Daily Le Figaro smeared China by claiming it was using the virus to attack the West.

It seems that some Western countries cannot accept the fact that a non-Western country has handled the crisis better than them. But China's model has actually worked, and it is well known to the world. China has been serious in tackling the coronavirus with very strict measures, and the country's system has its advantages in this regard.

Western countries have been promoting their democratic systems, societal models, and multiparty or two-party systems. But it is crystal clear how these countries have handled the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many Western mainstream media outlets have been skewing their reporting on the COVID-19 by replacing the facts with their bias. This is a violation of media ethics and professional morality. They have been slandering China's moves of goodwill with their deep-rooted arrogance and prejudice. But their rhetoric is not sustainable.

In addition to criticism on China's system, some Western media outlets have also condemned China for so-called hatred against foreigners, giving examples of foreigners who were quarantined in China. This is xenophobia and China has never been xenophobic.

In the face of the coronavirus, China adopted equal measures on Chinese and foreigners. There wasn't any possibility of foreigners defying quarantine regulations while Chinese obey the rules. Foreigners who seek privileges are not welcome in China. Everyone in China has been equally treated under the epidemic prevention and control framework regardless of their nationality.

Some Western countries and media outlets are viewing China's virus prevention and control measures and China's system through biased lenses. The sooner they recognize and fairly evaluate the rationality and superiority of China's measures taken during the coronavirus outbreak, the more helpful it will be for them to curtail, and even overcome the epidemic.

Influenced by misleading reports and propaganda of Western media such as Le Figaro and some US media outlets, Westerners are becoming more and more prejudiced against China. 

China has got the epidemic under control through its own efforts. Now it is doing its utmost to provide many other countries in difficulty with medical supplies such as face masks and protective outfits. What China is doing has nothing to do with charity or atonement. Many countries offered a helping hand when China was grappling with the epidemic and the Chinese people never took their goodwill as charity. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic is the common enemy of all people. As virus knows no borders, every country has the responsibility to fight the pandemic.

However, in the narratives of some Western media outlets, the coronavirus is human-made and China's efforts to offer epidemic-hit countries badly needed supplies are out of "mask diplomacy" to expand influence. They attempt to demonize Chinese and throw mud at Chinese diplomacy.

In an attempt to prove the superiority of their systems, they launched propaganda attacks on China's political system. Facing the fact that China has done a better job in containing the epidemic, which they refused to accept, they had no other choice but to smear China. Their approaches are petty.

The article was compiled by Global Times reporter Li Qingqing based on an interview with Zhu Wei, professor and communications researcher at China University of Political Science and Law. liqingqing@globaltimes.com.cn