On April 16, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming had a telephone conversation with John Allen, President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), to share information on China-UK joint response to COVID-19, China’s experience and global coordination to tackle epidemic challenge, and exchange views on China-UK economic and trade cooperation.

Ambassador Liu said, since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese government and Chinese people have been working with solidarity to fight the disease. Positive results have been achieved in epidemic prevention and control, and economic activities and social undertakings are getting back to normal. Meanwhile, China has also gained valuable experience in battling the virus. The first experience is to firmly implement the policy of “early detection, early diagnosis, early isolation and early treatment”. The second experience is to focus on the tasks of increasing patient admission and survival rates, and reducing infection and fatality rates. The third experience is to mobilize the whole nation to contain the disease and save lives. China has rallied and sent 41,600 health workers to Hubei province shortly after the outbreak. The fourth experience is to carry out epidemic prevention and control measures in tandem with economic and social development, restoring order to the economy and daily life, and reopening factories and businesses. These measures have achieved positive outcomes, which bought precious time for other countries and made significant contribution to global pandemic prevention and control.

Ambassador Liu pointed out that China and the UK had been working closely to meet the challenge. In a matter of one month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had two telephone conversations, in which they reached important agreement on China-UK cooperation on containing COVID-19. At China’s most difficult time, Her Majesty The Queen and Prime Minister Johnson sent sympathy and support to China, and British people from all walks of life donated funds and supplies. Now the UK is fighting its own battle against the pandemic. China feels keenly for the UK and stands ready to provide assistance to the best of its capability, facilitating the procurement of much-needed medical supplies, including ventilators. Medical experts from China have also shared information and experience with their British colleague, and scientists from both countries have been collaborating in vaccine and medicine research and development.

As President Xi said, “solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon for the international community to defeat COVID-19”, China has been actively participating in the global response to COVID-19, living up to its international responsibilities, and staying completely open and transparent in sharing experience and information and providing support, said the Ambassador. As soon as China identified the pathogen of the virus, it shared the full genetic sequence with the WHO in a timely manner. This was followed by experience-sharing and aid to more than 140 countries and international organizations, including the UK, in a record-short time. Such effort was highly commended by the international community. COVID-19 is a common enemy for mankind. All countries should be working together instead of shifting the blame and pointing finger at others, which only serves to undermine international cooperation. The attempt of some western politicians and media to spread unwarranted information and hatred, politicize the pandemic, and stigmatize China is a “political virus”, which should be kept under close watch by the international community. China upholds the leadership of the WHO firmly, finds the US announcement to stop funding the WHO disappointing and regrettable, and appreciates the position of the British Government in supporting the WHO.

Talking about the economy, Ambassador Liu stressed that countries of the world should enhance coordination on macro-economic policy. Not long ago at the Special Summit of ASEAN Plus Three (APT) on COVID-19, Premier Li Keqiang called on all member countries to take further measure to ease tariffs, eliminate barriers, facilitate trade and investment, and keep their markets open to each other to restore economic development. Though COVID-19 is raging, crisis breeds opportunities, Ambassador Liu said. In order for the economy to achieve steady recovery, new drivers of growth can be fostered by exploring the potential of big data, smart manufacturing, 5G technology, digital economy and AI. In November this year, the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in Shanghai, which stands as a rare opportunity for world businesses to get access to the Chinese market. Ambassador Liu expressed the hope that the CBI will encourage its members to have confidence in the development of China’s economy, take part in the third CIIE and seize the opportunities to deepen cooperation with China.

Allen spoke highly of China’s achievement in containing COVID-19 and contribution to international collaboration in battling the pandemic. He expressed his sincere thanks to China for its support and assistance to the UK in providing medical supplies and sharing anti-epidemic experience. Only by enhancing cooperation among all countries can the spread of the disease be curbed, he said, giving his full support to multilateral public health cooperation based on the WHO. In face of the pandemic, he added, the CBI will give vigorous support to British businesses and provide assistance to Chinese businesses in the UK. CBI members are looking forward to the third CIIE.