
Solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon in the global fight against COVID-19, a Chinese envoy told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Conflict-affected countries are the weakest link in this fight. Helping them build a strong line of defense is most important for ensuring victory over the pandemic and consolidating peacebuilding gains, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
China calls on all parties to conflict to respond to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' appeal for a global cease-fire as soon as possible, lay down their arms, and work together to fight COVID-19, he told an open debate of the Security Council on pandemics and the challenges of sustaining peace.
Zhang called for support for the efforts of the United Nations and the World Health Organization to strengthen policy coordination among countries and to channel more resources to conflict-affected countries to help them deal with COVID-19.
China appreciates and supports the assistance to relevant countries by UN peacekeeping operations. It supports the Peacebuilding Commission in providing tailored response and reconstruction programs for countries, and encourages the Peacebuilding Fund to reprioritize its projects and resources for that purpose, said Zhang.
Unilateral sanctions are seriously undermining the capacity of targeted countries in responding to the pandemic and safeguarding livelihoods, making innocent civilians the biggest victims, he said. "We once again strongly urge relevant countries to acknowledge the negative humanitarian consequences and immediately lift their unilateral coercive measures."
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has been actively engaged in the global fight and has been doing its utmost to support and assist countries in need, said Zhang, adding that China is ready to continue providing medical supplies to affected countries, share experience in diagnosis and treatment, and send medical experts to those countries.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses