Beijing Dec 5 CGTN : Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng stressed global unity to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic when addressing a think tank forum on Saturday.
Noting that COVID-19 may not be the only crisis facing the world, Le pointed out that the fundamental way out is to build a community with a shared future for mankind. “We should resolve differences with solidarity and work together for international prevention and control work, especially for the research, development and distribution of vaccines,” he said.
The main task is to promote the recovery and development of the world economy, Le said, stressing “protectionism and decoupling theory will only make the situation worse.”
The vice foreign minister hailed the people-centered philosophy in successful diplomacy amid the pandemic.
“Rather than being a ‘Chernobyl moment’ for China, the epidemic has become a ‘highlight moment’ for the socialism with Chinese characteristics,” Le said.
Meanwhile, he highlighted that so-called ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy is actually another version of “China threat theory” aiming at making China give up fighting back when the country’s dignity and interests are harmed.
China is a major responsible country and has always been a defender of the international order, a contributor to global governance and a provider of international public goods, he added.
“China’s circle of friends is enlarged though some major countries intimidate others to take sides so as to suppress and contain China,” he noted when criticizing the “chilling effect”.
Speaking of the fifth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which concluded in October, Le said that China is set to embark on a journey to fully build a modern socialist country and will make efforts in building a new development pattern of “dual circulation“.
He also called for experts and scholars to make their voices heard in sharing China’s culture, stories, and contributions to the world, and contribute their insights to the peace and development in the post-pandemic era and major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
