Babatunde Ahonsi (C), the representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in China, attends a press conference of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council held in Beijing, capital of China, July 11, 2020. The UNFPA representative in China on Saturday applauded the country for battling the COVID-19 outbreak, working with the global community, and sharing its experience. "China has made great efforts in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, and is watchful of its resurgence," said Babatunde Ahonsi at a press conference held in Beijing. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)

BEIJING -- The representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in China on July 11 applauded the country for battling the COVID-19 outbreak, working with the global community, and sharing its experience.

"China has made great efforts in containing the COVID-19 outbreak, and is watchful of its resurgence," said Babatunde Ahonsi, a UNFPA representative in China, at a press conference held in Beijing.

The UNFPA provided the government of China with assistance in the fight against the epidemic in China's Hubei Province, including offering diapers and sanitary pads, to assure the dignity of women and female health workers, Ahonsi said.

Speaking of the collaboration with China's National Health Commission, Ahonsi said the UNFPA also organized two online seminars on sharing China's experience in helping with sexual and reproductive health and newborn care and services in areas affected by COVID-19. The seminars were well-received by more than 400 professional participants from around the world, he said.

Saturday marks the 31st World Population Day, and the global theme this year is "Putting the brakes on COVID-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now."