At the invitation of the English Channel of Kuwait Television (Kuwait TV Channel 2), Ambassador Li Minggang gave an exclusive interview on China's international cooperation in epidemic response via teleconference, which was broadcast on its programme 'Hala Kuwait' on 23rd March 2020.
Starting with a briefon the initial progress of China's response to COVID-19 epidemic and sharing China's experience, Ambassador Li stressed that while continuing to strengthen epidemic control at home, Chinais committed to promoting international cooperation in order to help in the global battle against the COVID-19 epidemic and build a community with a shared future in epidemic response, through five dimensions.
First, China strengthens communication and coordination with the World Health Organization and international community. China has promptly shared with the WHO information on the genetic sequence of the virus and information about the epidemic to relevant countries and regions.
Second, China shares and exchanges experience in responding to COVID-19 outbreak with other countries in the globe. So far, China has held several video conferences and shared China's experience in epidemic control with over 100 countries from the European Union, ASEAN and the African Union, as well as a dozen international organizations. Seven versions of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment protocol and six editions of prevention and control protocol, successively developed and issued by China, have been translated into multiple languages for sharing and exchanging expertise with other countries including Kuwait. Furthermore, China has launched an online epidemic-assistance platform called 'WeDoctor Global Consultation and Prevention Center' with over 6000 outstanding medical professionals offering online consultation services and exchanging experience in epidemic prevention and control, and COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment.
Third, China dispatches medical teams to countries and regions in need. As of today, China has successively dispatched five medical brigades to Iran, Iraq, Italy, Serbia and Cambodia to provide aid in epidemic control.
Fourth, China provides material assistance including medicines to international community. China has decided to donate 20 million US dollars to the WHO, and announced assistance to 82 countries, the WHO and the Africa Union. The assistance includes testing reagents, masks and protective gowns. China has also exported medical supplies and equipment in support of urgent needs of some countries including Kuwait. Local governments and private institutions in China are also reaching out to other countries to help.
Fifth, China bolsters scientific and technical cooperation with international community. China is ready to carry out scientific collaboration in such areas as medicine, vaccine and testing reagent, and contribute the Chinese wisdom and Chinese proposals for better response to COVID-19 challenge worldwide.
Ambassador Li noted that, since the COVID-19 outbreak, China and Kuwait have maintained close communication on epidemic prevention and control and helped each other, which fully demonstrates our two countries' strategic friendship of sharing weal and woe. A few days ago, the Chinese side assisted and facilitated Kuwait in arranging an urgent trip to China for bringing back urgent medical supplies with extraordinary measures to ensure the timely use of the said supplies in Kuwait. This has revealed the high-levelcooperation between China and Kuwait in epidemic response. Under the firm leadership of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah, and with concerted efforts of China, Kuwait and other countries, we will surely prevail over the epidemic at an early date.
Ambassador Li also answered questions related to effective medications for treating COVID-19 and updates on vaccine development.