On January 29, local time, the World Health Organization held a press conference at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, to introduce the visit to China led by the Director-General of the World Health Organization Tan Desai. At the press conference, Tan Desai and senior WHO officials spoke highly of China's effective measures to prevent and control the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, showing courage and responsibility.

Tedros said: "I am very impressed by the strong measures China has taken to deal with the epidemic. The strong measures China has taken are not only good for China, but also good for the world." He said that he is determined to the Chinese leadership and the Chinese people to fight the epidemic. I was very shocked and expressed admiration for the courage and responsibility shown by China.

Tan Desai said that the World Health Organization and China had a candid discussion on the basis of mutual understanding, and the two sides focused on strengthening cooperation. "Both parties will continue to conduct in-depth research on the threat and transmission path of the virus, and share relevant data and biological information. China’s action against the epidemic is of vital importance to the world."

Tan Desai said that the Chinese government has taken extraordinary measures to prevent the export of cases. "For this reason, China deserves our gratitude and respect." Tan Desai said that China has screened out pathogens at an unprecedented speed and cooperated with the World Health Organization for the first time. Sharing the genetic sequence of the virus with other countries has made it possible to develop rapid virus detection tools, which also shows that China abides by its commitment to openness and transparency. He also cited the recent rapid detection and isolation of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus in Germany as an example to illustrate the importance of China’s active international cooperation: "The Chinese health department promptly notified the German health department of the situation and assisted the latter in taking action, showing that China is committed The principle of'solidarity and cooperation' will work with the World Health Organization and other countries and regions."

Tedros said that China has shown high transparency in its response to the epidemic. Before visiting China, he kept in touch with the National Health Commission of China every day to discuss the latest situation of the epidemic, how to respond, and what kind of support the World Health Organization can provide.

Michael Lane, Executive Director of the World Health Organization’s Emergency Program, believes that facing the threat of a major epidemic, China is doing the right thing. “This new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic is unusual. Correspondingly, China has introduced unusual measures. I have never seen such a large-scale prevention and control operation and such powerful measures."

Lane said that after the emergence of the new coronavirus pneumonia, Chinese scientists quickly screened the pathogen, sequenced the virus, and shared research results with the World Health Organization and relevant countries and regions, making unique contributions to rapid diagnosis. The Chinese health department shared the epidemic information with relevant countries and regions as soon as possible, which also provided valuable time for quick action.

Kokhov, an infectious disease expert at the World Health Organization, believes that China’s “active surveillance” system is critical to the discovery of the first case of a new coronavirus infection. China’s openness and cooperative spirit in fighting the epidemic is very important for the World Health Organization to issue testing, Treatment guidelines are also crucial. "Through international cooperation, we are establishing a knowledge system about the virus", which plays an important role in the current fight against the epidemic.

The World Health Organization issued a press release on the same day and pointed out that China has demonstrated strong public health capabilities in the fight against the epidemic and provided huge resources for the response. Eliminating the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic in China and many countries is also the most important agenda of the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization expresses its gratitude to China for its leadership and transparency from top to bottom.

(Source: People's Daily)