All must rally to common cause

Global solidarity is the only way to defeat the novel coronavirus and overcome the shocks of the pandemic

Facing the pandemic, an embracing of our common humanity is what we need the most, and there is nothing more humane than to set aside our differences and cooperate in the fight against the pandemic.

Coming together to battle the virus to save lives should be the number one priority for rich and powerful countries who are better able to take up arms in the fight against the virus. In a globalized world, no country can gain immunity unless all countries obtain it. It is also the developing countries that provide most of the workforce and the majority of raw materials for the global economy; more important, they are the engines of global economic growth.

The world will not get back on track unless the rich and powerful economies fight with and for countries that are less developed. If not, the existing social-economic order that benefits the majority of countries will come to an end, and the current trend of globalization is at risk of breaking into pieces.

Facing the pandemic, no country is powerful enough to defeat it alone. Today, when the world is facing such a big challenge, both the US and China should demonstrate to other countries, particularly to developing countries, their leadership, and offer and uphold firm commitments to stand by them amid the global pandemic.

Both bilateral and multilateral measures would help developing countries win the fight against the coronavirus. China has made an excellent example to other powerful countries by sending medical teams and supplies to about 90 countries, which have been badly hit by the novel coronavirus. There is an old Chinese saying: "The gift itself may be light as a goose feather; but sent from afar, it conveys a deep feeling." Obviously, the rest of the world cannot rely on one or a few powerful countries to bear all costs to fight the pandemic, but showing care is never wrong and always welcome, and both the US and other rich countries should do so once they have gained an upper hand over their domestic pandemic situation.

Multilateralism, by far, is still the best way for the world to fight the pandemic. However, there is no denying that multilateral institutions have been weakened by unilateralism and the prevailing of populism in many parts of the world. Solidarity with the World Health Organization would be the best way for countries to rally together against the pandemic. The WHO has set up a COVID-19 response fund named the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, aiming at raising $675 million to fight the coronavirus. More than 30 countries, international organizations and non-governmental organizations have contributed to it.

In addition, the United Nations is calling for solidarity to fund the world's most vulnerable countries to combat the pandemic by launching a $2 billion global humanitarian response plan. If all rich and powerful countries act together and provide support for the developing countries, the world will have a better chance of overcoming the challenges it now faces.

Debt relief can be another effective means to help developing countries and minimize the socioeconomic damage caused by the pandemic.

The G20 countries have agreed to debt repayment suspensions to help more than 70 of the most deprived countries reduce their burden during the fight with the coronavirus. Africa alone is seeking debt relief of $44 billion this year.

It is both a complicated and sensitive issue for many rich and powerful countries to balance their own interests and provide help to vulnerable ones. Strong global coordination and solidarity can make debt relief, both efficient and fair.

History suggests that no matter how strong and functional institutions a nation has, in times of crisis, people look to strong leadership for confidence and hope. One would expect all rational world leaders would choose to uphold solidarity. Unfortunately, common sense may not prevail driven by perceived geopolitical rivalry. While China has been offering a helping hand to the rest of the world, it is deeply divisive that the current US administration chose to suspend funding of the WHO in a time where the US leadership is most needed.

At the moment, the US has to rely on its scientific community, companies and philanthropists to do most of the work in helping fight COVID-19 overseas, and the federal government has provided minimal leadership except for confusing both domestic and international audiences. The sooner the US government realizes the virus, not China, is the real threat to the world, the better the world will be able to combat the virus.

The author is a research fellow at the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies at Nanjing University and is a 2009-20 UK Chevening Scholar. The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.