The rapidly spreading COVID-19 has brought tremendous challenges to global public health security. More and more people in the world have felt with their own experience the interdependence of human societies, and recognized that solidarity and cooperation is the only way to prevail over the pandemic.

The virus respects no borders and does not discriminate based on race. Given how fast it spreads, how impactful it remains and how difficult to contain it, the international community has come to realize that COVID-19 is a “big exam” that no country can be exempt from. This is, on the one hand, a vivid manifestation of the close interconnections between human societies. On the other hand, it reveals our vulnerabilities in face of public health and other crises. As is rightly pointed out at the beginning of the Extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit Statement, “The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic is a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and vulnerabilities.” The global fight against COVID-19 will not end until every single country wipes it out.

Uniting global efforts together is our only choice to effectively contain the pandemic. The outbreaks of COVID-19 in different places occur at different times with different intensities, which requires countries to enhance policy coordination and build a global network of control and treatment to intensify information sharing and exchange. Firstly, the international community needs to strengthen cooperation on drugs and vaccines development and epidemic control, and cut off cross-border infections. It is especially important to jointly help developing countries with weak public health systems enhance preparedness and response. Secondly, as the demand for medical and protective equipment surges, the global supply chain needs to deepen industrial capacity cooperation and unleash full potential. Thirdly, considering COVID-19’s serious impacts on the world economy, countries need to reinforce macro-economic policy coordination and readjustments to shore up confidence and enhance the openness and stability of the global market. In stark contrast, politicizing the issue, playing the blame game, or stigmatizing certain groups will do no good to international cooperation but to tear it apart.

China is a firm upholder and practitioner of building a community of shared future for mankind. China has taken the most comprehensive, thorough and stringent measures to contain the virus at home. In an open, transparent and responsible fashion, China has timely shared the genome sequence of the virus, research outcomes, and containment and treatment experience with the world. China has also strengthened international cooperation on drugs and vaccines development, sent medical teams overseas, and provided urgently-needed medical supplies to over 150 countries and international organizations. China’s efforts have not only fortified the first line of defense and contributed significantly to the global fight against COVID-19, but also demonstrated the urgency and necessity of building a community of shared future for mankind.

In the era of the global village, the world has become a community where all countries are interconnected with others, and various traditional and non-traditional security issues will constantly bring us new challenges. The international community needs to foster the vision of a community of shared future, join hands to deal with risks and challenges, and make the world a better place. It is a great lesson from the global fight against COVID-19. As Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out, it is imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response. We must comprehensively step up international cooperation and create greater synergy so that humanity as one could win the fight against such a major infectious disease.