Chinese help greatly valued by neighbors

China's efforts in cooperating with other countries to contain COVID-19 are highly valued, and this is particulary so in Southeast Asia, according to officials and analysts.

"China has won high appreciation from large parts of the international community for donating medical materials and equipment and dispatching groups of medical teams to other countries," said Sounthone Xayachack, a senior official of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

She noted that China has actively engaged itself in global cooperation against the pandemic while making solid achievements in fighting the spread of the virus at home.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian, at a regular news conference in Beijing on Friday, said the Chinese government had begun providing supplies－including surgical masks, protective gear and testing reagents－to 127 countries and four international organizations.

In addition, localities, enterprises and civil groups in China have donated medical supplies to more than 100 countries, regions and international organizations, and held over 70 video conferences with medical experts from about 150 countries and international organizations.

"With its fast spread and wide reach, the pandemic has taught humans a lesson, in that all countries have become aware that no single nation can rise to the virus challenge alone without international cooperation," said Sounthone, head of the LPRP Central Committee's Commission for External Relations.

'Important and imperative'

"It is both important and imperative that China has proposed the vision of building a global community of shared public health for mankind to face the common and serious threat," Sounthone told China Daily in a written interview.

She said that with people under severe threat, countries can only gain total victory against the pandemic by uniting their efforts and joining hands in consensus.

The LPRP, together with many others, "supports the call of the Communist Party of China for major parties of the world to strengthen cooperation in countering the COVID-19 pandemic", she said.

Dong Quang Vinh, a conductor from the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, said China has adopted effective comprehensive approaches in the virus fight over the past months. It has also exercised caution in the resumption of production while helping others, he said.

Vannarith Chheang, president of Cambodia-based think tank Asian Vision Institute, also said China is playing a vital role in the global battle against COVID-19.

Sounthone said China has been united and resolute in countering the epidemic. Under its strong leadership, China has taken comprehensive and effective measures, timely treatment of patients and tracing of close contacts, in addition to curbing the risks from imported cases.

Laos and its people hold high regard for China's firm political resolution and wise decision making, she said. Only by further enhancing close cooperation can the world beat the pandemic once and for all and reduce its impact.

Laos reported its first confirmed case on March 24. The slow increase in infections can be attributed to the country's effective measures "in reference to Chinese experiences and the solidarity and wide support of the Laotian people", Sounthone said.

China's experiences have offered references and information for the Laotian government to guide its people, she said.

A special working group has adopted a series of measures, including setting up 1,600 quarantine stations. All travelers from high-risk nations are required to go through a 14-day quarantine.

Wang Jian contributed to the story.