From the “Silk Road of Health” to the “Community of Shared Future for Human Health” in a Post-COVID-19 World

The history of humanity’s struggle huge threat to the life and health of mankind as

against disease is a major part of the history of well as to the world economy even worse than

civilization. From the Black Death in Europe in the Great Depression in the 1930s (Dan & Mei,

the 14th century, to smallpox in North America 2021). This reflects two major issues. One is that

in the 16th century, to the Spanish Flu outbreak non-traditional security threats, such as major

in 1918, to the COVID-19 pandemic that rav- infectious diseases, may occur more frequently

aged the world in early 2020, the struggle be- in the future and bring more challenges than tra-

tween humans and various epidemics has never ditional security threats. The second is that the

stopped. Although human beings have achieved international community’s response to major

the final victory in each struggle with the plague, infectious diseases is full of problems and glob-

it has paid a huge cost of life. Smallpox killed 300 al public health governance is seriously lagging

million people in the 20th century alone. Even behind the current situation and urgently needs

in the 21st century, with technological develop- to strengthen.

ment and medical advancement, sudden public For China, this pandemic is a major pub-

health events can still lead to huge casualties. lic health emergency that has the fastest speed

The 2009 outbreak of H1N1 influenza in Mexico of spread, the widest range of infections, and

and the United States caused more than 280,000 the most difficult prevention and control since

deaths (Xu, 2020Xu (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). As of February 15, 2021, a to- the founding of the People’s Republic of Chi-

tal of 109,351,012 people have been diagnosed na. Fortunately, it took China only a month to

and 2,408,045 people have died due to the COV- curb its spread, two months to control the daily

ID-19 pandemic. Many countries are still on a new cases within single digits, and about three

growth trend (Real-time, 2021Real-time (2021). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). months to obtain decisive control of the disease

This COVID-19 pandemic is the rarest in Wuhan City and Hubei Province. Later, Chi-

global public health crisis that mankind has en- na has also successively won several battles to

countered in the past 100 years and also gener- wipe out concentrated epidemics in local areas

ated a global governance crisis, which poses a (Ping, 2020aPing (2020a). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). With the large-scale use of vac-

cines, China’s anti-epidemic measures have be- said that the threat posed by the spread of the

come more efficient. To summarize, the success- virus is even greater than the consequences of

ful experience of China is that it has continually any terrorist act (Min, 2020Min (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

practiced the concept of “People First” and “Life First”, proposed to the international communi-

ty a brand-new concept of the “Community of In recent years, with the slowdown

Shared Future for Human Health”, and contrib- in the economic development

uted Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to of developed countries and the increase in domestic problems, global health governance. trade protectionism, unilateralism, and populism in some developed The Main Challenges of Global Public countries have become increasingly Health Governance prominent, and their willingness

The COVID-19 pandemic spread to about 200 and ability to invest in global

countries and regions around the world in just governance have decreased.

a few months since the beginning of 2020, be-

coming the most serious security threat facing Second, there is a vacuum in the leadership

the international community since World War of the global public health governance system.

II. To deal with such unprecedented challenges, The global public health governance system

the world should sincerely work together, but brings together many agents such as interna-

the actual situation is that the ineffectiveness of tional organizations, non-governmental organ-

global public health governance raises serious izations, and multinational companies. Howev-

concerns regarding the “governance deficit” and er, due to the lack of strong leadership, there is

the shortcomings of this system. Specifically, more competition between agents than cooper-

these defects are as follows: ation, policy coordination is lacking, and the in-

First, global public health governance is ability to share information has worsened (Feng,

becoming increasingly difficult nowadays. In 2020). For example, although the World Health

recent years, with the accelerating exchange of Organization (WHO) is a United Nations agen-

people across borders, the deterioration of the cy responsible for health affairs, which has 194

ecological environment, and the uneven and un- member states as part of the most authoritative

stable character of international development, and professional international organization in

the global spread of infectious diseases has fur- the field of global public health security, many

ther intensified. Some ancient viruses have res- Western countries claimed that it has not played

urrected and mutated, and some new diseases a positive role in the fight against COVID-19

reappeared one after another at an unprecedent- due to problems such as insufficient authority

ed speed. However, humans’ awareness of these and shortage of funds (Yong, 2020aYong (2020a). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

viruses is slow, and the detection, clinical treat- Third, the willingness and ability of some

ment, and vaccine research and development re- Western powers to participate in global public

quire long-term efforts, which makes it difficult health governance have declined significantly.

to effectively prevent and control them. It can be Most of the main participants, promoters, and

Ya n g Ch e n - Fro m t h e “ Si l k Ro ad o f H e al t h ” t o t h e “ C om m unity o f S ha r ed Futur e fo r H um a n H ea lth” in a Pos t- C O VID - 1 9 Wo r ld

leaders of global public health governance are ment of globalization, security issues have be-

developed countries in the West, and they pro- come more and more complex, and non-tradi-

vide a large amount of medical and health as- tional security issues have become increasingly

sistance to developing countries. However, in prominent. However, in recent years, “high-level

recent years, with the slowdown in the econom- politics” such as competition among major pow-

ic development of developed countries and the ers and geopolitical competition has not only

increase in domestic problems, trade protection- become more intense, but have also become

ism, unilateralism, and populism in some devel- increasingly fierce, while their attention and re-

oped countries have become increasingly promi- sources on “low-level politics”, especially global

nent, and their willingness and ability to invest in public health, have become less and less, and the

global governance have decreased, which is not actions have become more limited. However,

helpful to resolve the global “governance deficit” under the context of the COVID-19 pandemic,

(Zheng, 2020Zheng (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). In particular, since the Trump the importance of “low-level politics” is signif-

administration took office, it has been holding icantly increasing and the battle between hu-

high the slogan of “America First”, emphasizing mans and viruses has become the main priority

that everything should be based on the interests of world politics today. In the future, the devas-

of the United States, and is unwilling to assume tating harm to humans is likely to be non-tradi-

due responsibilities as a great power that is so tional security issues like global infectious dis-

good at flip-flops and withdrawals, which brings eases, climate change, energy and environment,

a major negative impact to global governance. terrorism, network information security, data

Fourth, the global leadership of emerging security, and security of deep sea, polar regions,

countries has not yet formed. Since the begin- and outer space (Ye & Li, 2020Ye & Li (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

ning of the 21st century, emerging economies and developing countries have risen in groups, and their voice and influence in international affairs and global governance have continued to increase, but they still do not have global leadership in the unbalanced international system. Their efforts to promote the supply of global public health products are not yet high enough to reach the heights reached by developed countries, thus creating a dilemma, which is that capable countries do not want to participate in global health governance, and willing countries do not have enough capacity to participate in global health governance.

Fifth, the international community’s under- WHO is the most authoritative and professional

standing of human security is seriously lagging international organization in the field of global public

health security. (Liu Qu / Xinhua) behind the current situation. With the advance-

China is an advocate and practitioner of the

Building a community with a concept of “a community with a shared future for

shared future for human health mankind”. On March 23, 2013, President Xi Jin-

is the prerequisite, foundation, ping put forward to the international community and inevitable path for building a the major initiative of “community of a shared fucommunity with a shared future for

mankind. ture for mankind” for the first time at the Moscow

Institute of International Relations. As he argues, “the degree of interconnection and interdepend-

In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, no coun- ence among nations has increased unprecedent-

try can stand alone. Just as Joseph S. Nye said, if edly, [and] human beings live in the same global

the hegemony that once held a leading position village, in the same time and space where history

has neither the will nor the ability to provide the and reality meet, and become a community of

necessary global public goods, and the emerging destiny” (Lei, 2020a: par.1). In September 2015

powers are unable to provide it, it will cause a vac- and January 2017, President Xi Jinping explained

uum of leadership in the global governance sys- the concept to the international community at the

tem, which will lead to a global security crisis, and United Nations headquarters in New York and

thus fall into the “Kindleberger Trap” (Nye, 2017Nye (2017). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Geneva respectively, which is highly compatible

The international community expects major pow- with the spirit of the “United Nations Charter”.

ers to exert leadership and influence and provide Later, this concept was included in the resolutions

global health public products through effective of the UN Economic and Social Council, the Se-

multilateral mechanisms. As the most powerful curity Council, the First Committee of the UN

country in the world, the United States should General Assembly, and the Human Rights Coun-

have coordinated global anti-epidemic actions by cil, and has been widely disseminated and arouses

exerting its global leadership, but, instead, it re- increasing attention.

treated into narrow isolationism and nationalism. After 7 years, on March 21, 2020, President

This is the root of the COVID-19 crisis. Xi Jinping expressed his desire to “build a com-

munity of shared future for human health” for

To Build the “Community of Shared the first time in a telegram of condolences to

Future for Human Health”: French President Macron regarding the COV-

A Chinese Concept ID-19 pandemic. On May 18, at the opening cer-

Global public health governance requires new emony of the 73rd World Health Assembly video

ideas and consensus. Under the COVID-19 conference, Xi Jinping put forward an initiative

pandemic, China has proposed the concept of to jointly build a community of shared future for

building a “community with a shared future for human health, which has attracted continuous

human health”. This new concept of cooperation attention at home and abroad (Sheng, 2020Sheng (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

is a vivid manifestation of China’s practical ac- For one thing, building a community with a

tions to build “a community with a shared future shared future for human health is the prerequi-

for mankind”, which is of increasing significance site, foundation, and inevitable path for building

during the COVID-19 pandemic. a community with a shared future for mankind.

Ya n g Ch e n - Fro m t h e “ Si l k Ro ad o f H e al t h ” t o t h e “ C om m unity o f S ha r ed Futur e fo r H um a n H ea lth” in a Pos t- C O VID - 1 9 Wo r ld

A China-Europe freight train loaded with anti-epidemic supplies departs from Yiwu, Zhejiang province, for Malaszewicze, Poland. (Gong Xianming/China Daily)

The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic Moreover, the concept of a community with

shows that compared with global issues such a shared future for human health has provided

as climate change and terrorism, public health new ethical norms for the international commu-

crises such as infectious diseases will directly nity. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pan-

threaten human life, health and safety, and its demic, there have been various statements that

challenges to the world are fundamental and contradict human rationality and civilization,

long-term. Therefore, whether it is “a communisuch as the “China concealment theory”, “Chity of interests and responsibilities” or “a communa misleading theory”, “China responsibility nity of security and development”, and whether theory”, “China compensation theory”, “inferior it is “a bilateral or multilateral community” or product export theory”, and “mask diplomacy “a community of shared future on any issue”,

health must be the primary consideration (Hong theory” (Wen, 2020Wen (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Some of these remarks are

& Yue, 2020). If there is no human health, the based on the arrogance of Western centrism,

meaning of any community with a shared future while others are based on old power politics

will be worthless. Therefore, we must advocate and cold-war thinking. There are also certain

the construction of a community with a shared remarks that uphold the zero-sum game idea,

future for humanity, and it should start with and some insist on racism and xenophobia. Such

global public health. statements run counter to the core values of a

community with a shared future for humanity the COVID-19 pandemic would hurt the Chi-

and is even more harmful than the virus. nese economy and help jobs and manufactur-

ing industry return to the United States (The U.S. Secretary of Commerce, 2020The U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Moreover, Respecting the right to life and health as the spokesperson said, the U.S. government of the people of all nations and ethnic had not provided any substantive assistance to groups in the world is a necessity.

Therefore, the initiative to create China but was the first to withdraw its consulate

a community of shared future for personnel from Wuhan, the first to withdraw

human health demonstrates China’s some of its embassy personnel, and the first to

respect for basic human rights. announce comprehensive restrictions on the en-

try of Chinese citizens, creating and spreading

The right to life and health has nothing to panic among the world (The Ministry of Foreign

do with national boundaries, race, or social de- Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 2020).

velopment level. Respecting the right to life and Of course, this was not to deny the generous as-

health of the people of all nations and ethnic sistance of the American people and some civil

groups in the world is a necessity. Therefore, the organizations to China.

initiative to create a community of shared future The second phase was from the Chinese

for human health demonstrates China’s respect leaders’ inspection of Wuhan from March 10 to

for basic human rights and has contributed to April 7. During this period, the pandemic was

getting rid of political system differences, tran- under control in China, but it was spread rap-

scending ideological differences, and promoting idly throughout the world. China had also be-

global political democratization and civilized gun to support countries in fighting against the

development. pandemic to return their previous goodwill. In

contrast, the US federal government started to

Western Accusations against China “rob” for purchasing faces masks and ventilators

during the COVID-19 Pandemic around the world whether it was its allies or local

From the outbreak of the pandemic to the present, governments controlled by the Democratic Par-

the relationship between China and the world, ty (The United States, 2020The United States (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.).

especially the United States, has roughly gone The third phase was the unblocking of Wu-

through the following four stages (Chen, 2020Chen (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.): han from April 8 to April 26. On April 8, Wu-

The first phase was from January 23 to han was reopened, and China’s war against the

March 9, when Wuhan was closed. During this COVID-19 won a substantial victory. From this

period, China was the “epicenter” of the global time on, China began its second round of as-

pandemic. The Chinese people worked together sistance to the international community and at

to fight against the virus, and all friendly coun- the same time began to export large amounts

tries provided necessary assistance and support of medical supplies to the United States. While

to China, while the United States was an ex- during this period, the United States started to

ception. For example, U.S. Secretary of Trade target the World Health Organization, criticiz-

Wilbur Louis Ross stated that the outbreak of ing that it helped China to cover up data, and has

Ya n g Ch e n - Fro m t h e “ Si l k Ro ad o f H e al t h ” t o t h e “ C om m unity o f S ha r ed Futur e fo r H um a n H ea lth” in a Pos t- C O VID - 1 9 Wo r ld

always praised China’s achievements in fighting ic. Second, he shifted the blame to China and

the pandemic and its contribution to the world. deliberately incited hatred and confrontation.

However, the allies of the United States have ex- Third, he exerted “maximum pressure” on Iran,

pressed their firm support for the WHO. For ex- Cuba and other countries, leading to greater hu-

ample, after the video conference of G7 leaders manitarian disasters. Fourth, he stood idly by

held on April 16, the White House stated that and disregarded the lives of the people in do-

the meeting focused on “the World Health Or- mestic pandemic prevention and control (Rare,

ganization’s lack of transparency and long-term 2020). After that, on May 4, the COVID-19

mismanagement, and the G7 leaders demanded Global Pledge Conference was held online. The

a comprehensive reform of the World Health conference was co-hosted by the European Un-

Organization”. However, the other 6 countries ion, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Ger-

participating in the meeting opposed Trump’s many, Italy, Japan, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.

rejection of the WHO and expressed strong sup- The European Union invested 1 billion euros.

port for it (Can, 2020Can (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). EU member states contributed 3 billion euros.

Mr Zhang Ming, head of the Chinese Mission to the European Union, also attended the meeting and delivered a speech as a representative of the Chinese government (Representatives, 2020Representatives (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). On May 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a promise at the opening ceremony of the 73rd World Health Assembly video conference: “After the research and development of China’s novel coronavirus vaccine is completed and put into use, it will serve as a global public product to achieve accessibility and affordability in developing countries” (Ping, 2020bPing (2020a). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). In contrast,

The United States views public health issue from the United States did not participate in this con-

the perspective of security and politics, and uses the

international public health system as a tool to maintain ference and on July 6, the US government an-

its own interests and hegemony. (Wang Ying / Xinhua) nounced its formal withdrawal from the WHO.

The United States views public health issues

The fourth phase started on April 27, when from the perspective of security and politics and

the U.S. Democratic Party launched an investiga- uses the international public health system as

tion into the Trump administration’s withdrawal a tool to maintain its interests and hegemony.

from the WHO. At the same time, the Chinese Even during the emergency period of the COV-

government criticized the U.S. Secretary of State ID-19 vaccine production, the United States re-

Mike Pompeo for four consecutive days starting fused to participate in the COVAX (Covid-19

from April 27. He had made four major mistakes: Vaccines Global Access Facility) on September

first, he threatened to withdraw from the WHO 1, 2020. The extreme self-interest of the Trump

and hinder the global fight against the pandem- administration reflects that the native national-

ism and national egoism of the United States are First, at the bilateral level, China will actively

seriously threatening the overall international strive for cooperation among major countries in

anti-epidemic, thus becoming the biggest unfa- fighting the pandemic. So far, four response mod-

vorable factor and produce serious negative ef- els have emerged around the world to fight against

fects on the international public health govern- the pandemic, namely the life first model (China),

ance system. the limited prevention and control model (South

Korea, etc.), the economic priority model (the

China’s Approach to Improve United States), and the laissez-faire model (the

Global Health Governance UK, etc.). Although the COVID-19 pandemic has

The question of how to solve the problem of the been brought under control in China, the price

supply of global public health products is cur- paid is also high, especially the economic price.

rently a major issue in global health governance. Therefore, the anti-epidemic strategies adopted

At present, the United States’ lack of willingness by each country are based on differences in social

and ability to promote global health governance values, political systems, social structures, pub-

means the end of the global health public product lic health governance systems, and governance

supply model dominated by hegemonic coun- capabilities, and there is no obvious distinction

tries. Although China is currently the world’s between advantages and disadvantages. Although

most populous country and the second-largest the impact of the pandemic varies from country

economy, it still does not have the strength to to country, its final containment is subject to the

dominate the supply of global public health prod- “cask theory”, that is, the epidemic will only dis-

ucts. However, in the future, China should play a appear after the most severe country is contained.

bigger role and contribute its approach to global Therefore, great powers need to build consensus

health governance as an emerging power. and strengthen cooperation and unity, instead of

mutual suspicion, mutual accusations, and each does what they think is right. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western countries’ accusations and suspicions against China have never been stopped. From China’s perspective, for the health of all humanity, it still needs to embrace hope to join hands with these Western countries. After all, the United States is still in the leading position of vaccines research, diagnosis and treatment experience sharing, and medical equipment supply chain. Back to history, during the Cold War, although the United States and the Soviet Union

A batch of Sinovac vaccine CoronaVac donated by China were rivals in the fields of geopolitics and ideolo-

arrived in the Philippines on Feb. 28, 2021, the first

COVID-19 vaccine to reach the Southeast Asian country. gy, they still cooperated in the field of health and

(Xinhua, 2021Xinhua (2021). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.) jointly participated in the smallpox eradication

Ya n g Ch e n - Fro m t h e “ Si l k Ro ad o f H e al t h ” t o t h e “ C om m unity o f S ha r ed Futur e fo r H um a n H ea lth” in a Pos t- C O VID - 1 9 Wo r ld

campaign initiated by the WHO, which elimi- WHO, and to find new markets to advance glob-

nated the smallpox virus from the world (Lei, al interests, thereby covering up the weaknesses

2020b). At present, China and the United States, of its domestic economy and population (Xiu,

which are so interdependent in the fields of econ- 2020). Judging from the performance of China in

omy, trade and security, should join hands to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, it has not only devel-

the epidemic, whether for self-interest or global oped the concept of building a “community with

public welfare. Only when both parties actively a shared future for human health”, but also put it

cooperate and govern together can they lead the into action. First, China has established a region-

international community to overcome the “Kin- al transnational emergency response mechanism

derberg Trap” of global health governance. under the framework of the “Belt and Road” to

Second, at the regional level, China must use handle global public emergencies. Second, China

the “Silk Road of Health” framework as a starting has shared the pandemic information promptly,

point to enhance health cooperation with coun- strengthened regional joint prevention and con-

tries that are part of the “Belt and Road” Initiative. trol cooperation and policy coordination, and

Global public health is a public good. The purpose provided point-to-point assistance to countries

of global health governance is to continuously and along the road with more severe epidemics. Final-

steadily provide more global public health prod- ly, the “Belt and Road” global supply chain should

ucts. For a long time, China has played the role of be restored as soon as possible to ensure the sup-

a “public product consumer” in the international ply of urgently needed medical supplies and daily

arena, but as China’s strength continues to grow, necessities around the world (Ye & Li, 2020Ye & Li (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). The

China has begun to shift from the role of a con- “Belt and Road” Initiative is a useful supplement

sumer to a provider of public products. The Belt to the current globalization, including “market

and Road Initiative is an active attempt by China globalization”, “production globalization”, and

to provide public goods to the world. In today’s “capital globalization”.

era when global public health products are crucial and severely scarce, China should see its role in this era and be more proactive and effective at providing global public health products (Hong & Chan, 2019Hong & Chan (2019). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). The “Silk Road of Health” can provide regional public health products. If China can release more goodwill to the international community in this way, it will prove to the world that a rising China is a promoter of world peace and development rather than a threat. However, most Western countries’ interpretations of the “Silk Road of Health” are based on Cold War zero-sum thinking. Some American China joined the COVAX in October 2020 and stated that it

scholars believe that China hopes to become a would give priority to the supply of vaccines to developing

countries. (China Daily, 2020China Daily (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.) leader in the global health field, to replace the

Source: CGTN, 16 February 2021

Third, at the global level, China will actively the concept of a community of shared future for

promote the construction and reform of global global health security, the “coordinator” of glob-

health governance mechanisms. The first item on al anti-epidemic cooperation, and the “provider”

the agenda is to fully support the World Health of global anti-epidemic norms and technologies

Organization’s core position in the global health (Yong, 2020aYong (2020a). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). Although the WHO still needs

governance system. As the only global multilat- structural reforms, its concept is highly compat-

eral organization in the field of health security, ible with China’s concept of building a communi-

the WHO gives full play to its function of global ty with a shared future for humanity, and China

health governance, becoming the “promoter” of should continue to support it.

Ya n g Ch e n - Fro m t h e “ Si l k Ro ad o f H e al t h ” t o t h e “ C om m unity o f S ha r ed Futur e fo r H um a n H ea lth” in a Pos t- C O VID - 1 9 Wo r ld

The second item is to continue to strengthen munity can also participate in the field of global

the role of the G20 in global health governance. public health. During this epidemic, the Bill and

The G20 covers the four major groups of coun- Melinda Gates Foundation, Jack Ma Foundation,

tries: the developed countries represented by and Alibaba Charity Foundation donated a large

the United States, Europe and Japan, the BRICS number of funds for research and development

countries, the medium powers, and international on vaccines and donated medical supplies such

organizations. Because the composition covers a as facemasks, test kits, protective clothing, pro-

wide range and is highly representative, and the tective masks, and ventilators to many countries

with severe epidemics (Yong, 2020cYong (2020a). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). major powers in the world are included, the total economic volume accounts for 80% of the world, Conclusion so that the cooperation between G20 members

can have an important impact on the world poli- In this great fight against the COVID-19 pan-

tics (Yan & Bo, 2020Yan & Bo (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). One of the purposes of de- demic, China has not only won precious time for

veloped countries’ support for the establishment the world to prepare for the pandemic with the

of the G20 is to allow emerging economies to most comprehensive, fastest, strictest, and most

share the responsibility of providing global public active anti-epidemic prevention and control

goods. According to this trend, global health gov- measures but also clearly proposed and imple-

ernance has transformed from a “Western-dom- mented the concept of “community of a shared

inated governance” to a “Western and non-West- future for the human health”. Besides, China

ern co-governance” (Yong, 2020bYong (2020a). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.), making it also actively participates in global public health

possible for developed and developing countries governance with practical actions and takes the

to jointly provide global public health products. initiative to assume the responsibility of a major

country within its capacity. In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, the

China actively participates in Chinese government donated US $20 million to

global public health governance the WHO. At the 73rd World Health Assembly,

with practical actions and takes China again announced that it would provide the initiative to assume the

responsibility of a major country “US$2 billion in international aid within two

within its capacity. years” (China’s, 2021China’s (2021). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.) to support countries af-

fected by the epidemic, especially the develop-

The third item is to encourage civil forc- ing countries for the recovery of economic and

es from all over the world to actively participate social development. In October 2020, China

in global public health governance. In addition joined the COVAX and stated that it would give

to international multilateral cooperation or- priority to the supply of vaccines to developing

ganizations such as the WHO, the G20, and the countries, to avoid some of the more affluent

BRICS, various non-governmental organizations countries from launching various restrictions on

(NGOs), and individuals in the international com- vaccine sales.

ny for human health and reflects the responsibility of a major country. The pandemic will end one day, but the warning it leaves for people is here to stay. To protect the lives and health of 7 billion people around the world, the international community should change its thinking, keep pace with the times in concept, show greater solidarity and cooperation in action, and establish a more complete global public health governance system to respond to various long-term or sudden global public health conditions.

To protect the lives and health of 7 billion people around Acknowledgement: This article is sup-

the world, the international community should establish

a more complete global public health governance system ported by funding from the “Key Project of

to respond to various long-term or sudden global public the National Social Science Fund of China”

health conditions. (Zhu Xingxin/China Daily) (18ZDA170). China’s good performance in the fight against the epidemic and its firm support and as- References sistance to the WHO have also allowed the world Can “US G7” come true? Expert: Old allies want to

to see the important role of developing countries “draw a clear line” with the US (2020, July 14The U.S. Secretary of Commerce (2020). The source article does not provide a separate full bibliographic entry for this citation.). China

in global health governance. Based on sharing Youth Daily. Retrieved from https://baijiahao.baidu.

com/s?id=1672179432056995006&wfr=spider&for

anti-epidemic diagnosis and treatment experi- =pc

ence and material assistance with more than 200 Chen, Y. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and Its

countries and regions, China has also established Impact to Global Politics: A View from China. TIGA

Studies. 2, 8-21.

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