NHC vice-minister calls for joint response to COVID-19
A China-Central and Eastern European countries health ministers' videoconference on combating COVID-19 was held on May 13.
Officials from China's National Health Commission (NHC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 17 Central and Eastern European countries addressed the conference, which was presided over by Zeng Yixin, vice-minister of the NHC.
Zeng introduced China's measures and experience in epidemic prevention and control and talked about the country's exchanges of epidemic information and technologies with related countries.
He proposed three initiatives for future cooperation among the parties involved. First, it is necessary to support the leading role of the World Health Organization in the virus fight. Second, joint efforts should be made to enhance international cooperation in the prevention and control of COVID-19. Third, inter-agency collaboration needs to be continuously expanded based on the existing health cooperation network.
He called on all countries to continue to work together in their COVID-19 response, jointly safeguard regional and global health safety and support the establishment of a health community for mankind.
Representatives of the Central and Eastern European countries introduced their domestic situations in COVID-19 prevention and control, policies and measures of quarantine and lifting of lockdowns. They expressed appreciation for China's active efforts in international cooperation and information sharing, and said they are willing to work together with China to strengthen global solidarity and cooperation for the joint fight against the epidemic.