China combating epidemic by using a people-first approach

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, China has waged a national "people's war" against the virus.

Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the country has put people's lives and health first, fully demonstrating its people-centered philosophy.

'All-out war'

The COVID-19 epidemic is the fastest spreading, most extensive and most challenging public health emergency the country has encountered since the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Closing outbound traffic from Wuhan, the virus-ravaged city in Hubei province, on Jan 23 was a crucial step to stem the spread of the virus.

The "lockdown" of Wuhan－which has a population of more than 10 million－along with emergency response measures elsewhere helped prevent about 700,000 infections in China, according to the analysis of 15 leading global research institutes.

The dispatch of medical supplies and medical teams to Hubei soon began.

A total of 346 medical teams and 42,600 medical workers were sent to Hubei, including teams led by China's Top 10 academicians and nearly one-tenth of the country's best intensive care doctors and nurses.

The country's best medical resources were pooled to save lives. Medical bills for hospitalized COVID-19 patients were covered by medical insurance and fiscal funds.

"The collectivist concept of human rights, rooted in traditional Chinese culture, is an important reason for the effectiveness of the epidemic prevention and control measures," said Liu Huawen, executive director of the institute of human rights studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Fu Zitang, president of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, said China has put life above all else in the fight and has taken extraordinary measures, securing major strategic achievements in containing COVID-19.

"The all-out war against COVID-19 safeguards human rights," said Fu, also vice-president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies.

Development rights

While containing the epidemic, China has taken steps to restore a sense of normalcy in everyday life as ensuring people's employment, livelihood and education are key to safeguarding their right to development.

Social security contributions from companies were reduced by over 340 billion yuan (48.6 billion) between February and April.

Subsidies of 46.5 billion yuan were given to 3.45 million companies to help them manage through difficulties and reduce layoffs.

China fights the virus as it fights poverty. Wiping out absolute poverty is an important aspect of promoting human rights.

China aims to lift all rural residents living below the current poverty line out of poverty in 2020.

The anti-poverty fight is advancing with concrete progress across the country.

China is expected to reach the poverty reduction goal set by the United Nations in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a decade ahead of schedule.

On education, the government has pushed schools to offer online courses during the epidemic and has offered help for students in need to ensure no one is left behind.