New York (People's Daily) - South China Morning Post on Tuesday published an op-ed, stressing the importance of multilateralism globally.

Photo: MFA

The article "A lesson from COVID-19: no country can be great in isolation. Instead, we must strengthen multilateralism", written by China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun, which was published on the occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace of 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of multilateralism, after hard struggles of humankind, Zhang said in the article.

Global collaboration, multilateral cooperation, and collective strength is desperately needed in response to the pandemic. The World Health Organisation, which is fully supported by the overwhelming majority of countries, has been central to multilateral cooperation efforts on health.

To strengthen multilateralism, Zhang mentioned trust, responsibility, equality, and benefits as crucial points.

Trust built on mutual respect is the foundation of active cooperation and a prerequisite of coordinated action. This virus is terrible. Yet, what's more shocking is a political virus, such as a Cold War mentality or a zero-sum game, which harms everyone.

Also, global governance requires concerted efforts, and responsibility means acknowledging problems and finding solutions.

In combating COVID-19, solidarity for the mutual benefit of all is even more critical. All countries should cherish the assistance received and try to help others. China is proud to have provided medical supplies to over 140 countries and international organizations and will continue to improve.

More durable and better multilateral cooperation is key to winning the battle all the time, Zhang concluded. COVID-19 will not be the last pandemic we have to face, so supporting multilateralism is supporting ourselves.