Zheng Guichu
For countries with different systems, as long as they observe the goals and principles of the UN Charter, particularly the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states and respect countries’ sovereignty, there won’t be any threat to anyone, or any confrontation. Political and ideological obstacles must be removed for the common good.
Challenge 2: global mechanisms vs. epidemic attack
Is the international mechanism efficient enough to tackle an international health emergency?
The epidemic is not only a test of China’s governing capacity, but also a check on the capability and efficiency of the global public health and epidemic prevention system at large.
This outbreak shows that in the globalized era, the world is yet to be ready for fights against epidemics. According to WHO, there is no direct cure or treatment for COVID-19. Hence early detection, quarantine and treatment remain the most effective methods to contain the virus. A lesson drawn from here, therefore, is that proactive and coordinated response to any health emergency is more effective. Efforts need to be reinforced by the international community to take cooperative and coordinated measures to facilitate early detection, early reporting, early diagnosis, and early quarantine and treatment of epidemics.
In addition, an effective and inter-connected anti-epidemic global system, an emergency management platform, a public health laboratory mechanism for rapid diagnosis should be established and strengthened. There should also be a modern epidemiology investigation and control system, a reaction system on global medical equipment emergency supplies and an epidemic information disclosure mechanism.
In a sense, China’s ongoing war against the COVID-19 epidemic is broadly rewarding in that it provides the international community with valuable lessons for the improvement of future practice. Like how to strengthen responsive capabilities of local public health systems, how to gather and coordinate various resources of a nation for effective epidemic prevention and control. The key lies in solidarity, scientific prevention and control measures, and strengthened international cooperation.
The epidemic may happen in one country today and in any other country tomorrow. Constantly improved measures are needed in the years to come as new diseases might emerge. As China improves itself, it will also help with the capacity building of other countries that are still weak in the public health system. For example, China has provided assistance to fellow developing countries to the best of its ability. It has introduced eight major initiatives for cooperation with Africa, one of which focuses on public health. China will continue to promote public health cooperation with countries in Africa, just like it did to help during the Ebola outbreak.
Unpredictability is now the new norm in the world. Instability and uncertainty are on the rise in the international landscape. Against this backdrop, preparedness, prevention and early action should be integrated into the international health preventative system and global governance.
Challenge 3: concept of a shared community vs. eroding zero-sum game mentality
Could the new concept win over the outdated old one?
This sudden outbreak reminds us once again that we live in a time of transformation, when traditional and non-traditional security issues are entwined, and local issues highly integrated with global ones. Growing interdependence promotes the understanding that global problems cannot be solved at the national level.
Together we survive, and together we might perish. As Tedros said at a press conference, “The only way we will defeat this outbreak is for all countries to work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. We are all in this together, and we can only stop it together.” Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, said that “global cooperation is essential to the containment of COVID-19 and its economic impact.”
The virus will be controlled, but political viruses in the manifestation of the zero-sum game, law of the jungle and hegemonic thinking are yet to die out. Peace and benefits should not be taken for granted, imagine what a disastrous picture it will be if world powers slide into animosity and zero-sum calculations.
The world today must adjust to the flow of changes, adapt, grow, and learn to cooperate and share. That is the indispensable software in the new era. There is no room for individual maneuvering for selfish interests. We cannot live in the second decade of the 21st century while still remain trapped in the outdated mentality of the industrial or even agricultural age. Global governance reform
Unilateralism is confrontational but not competitive, whereas multilateralism is competitive without being confrontational. Unilateralism narrows opportunities, inflames tensions, provokes confrontation and breeds dissatisfaction and resentment. In contrast, multilateralism represents the underpinning force for world peace and development, advocates equal rights of all countries, expands opportunities, instills positive energy into global security and promotes shared prosperity for the whole world.
At present, a tug of war between unilateralism and multilateralism is unfolding across the world, which will decide the future and destiny of humanity. We should make the right choice, stand on the right side of history, and develop a fairer and more equitable global governance system.
What is a fairer and more equitable global governance system? Xi has given us a clear-cut answer. That is, to build a community with a shared future for humanity, a community of an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.
Building a community with a shared future is the overarching goal of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. It points the way forward for global governance, and is the lodestar to guide the world to address challenges of the times.
To develop a fairer and more equitable global governance system, a more open and inclusive approach should be embraced, and a new path of state-to-state relations followed featuring dialogue rather than confrontation, and partnership rather than alliance. We should uphold mutual respect and equal-footed consultation, seek peaceful settlement of disputes, bridge differences through cooperation, pursue cooperation for win-win outcomes, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation to build an open economy, and respect the diversity of civilizations.. -The Daily Mail-Beijing Review news exchange item
