Battling the coronavirus at home, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for an all-out global war against the pandemic and proposed tariff cuts and removal of trade barriers to prevent the global economy slipping into recession.
Speaking at the unprecedented virtual G20 Summit on COVID-19, Xi said the world needs to be resolute in fighting an all-out global war against coronavirus which has created an unprecedented health crisis.
“This is a virus that respects no borders. The outbreak we are battling is our common enemy. All must work together to build a strongest global network of control and treatment that the world has ever seen,” Xi said through videoconference.
Xi’s statement came amid growing international criticism of China’s reported failure to be fully transparent in reporting the COVID-19 outbreak in the central Chinese city of Wuhan last year.
Xi said the community of nations must move swiftly to stem the spread of the virus and China will be more than ready to share its good practices, conduct joint research and development of drugs and vaccines, and provide assistance where it can to countries hit by the pandemic.
He said China has set up its online COVID-19 knowledge centre that is open to all countries. About the pandemic’s impact on global economy, Xi asked G20 members to cut tariffs, remove barriers and facilitate the unfettered flow of trade.
He called on all G20 members to take collective actions, send a strong signal and restore confidence for global economic recovery.