File photo of Raja Dato' Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, the Ambassador of Malaysia to China.

Malaysia and China have had strong relations for a very long time. As developing countries, our interests converge on many issues. People to people contacts have also been very close. That is why both countries have continued to support one another. President Xi Jinping’s idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind is a good idea, which Malaysia supports fully. We have voiced our support for this idea at many platforms, including the UN. At present, when China encounters a major epidemic, Malaysia is duty-bound to lend a helping hand.

In the face of this sudden outbreak, China has taken decisive and effective prevention and control measures and achieved positive results. Malaysia has commended China for the very effective measures taken. Malaysia appreciates China's great efforts and progress in responding to the outbreak, and believes that this is China's contribution to world public security as a responsible major country. These sentiments were conveyed earlier by former Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Saifuddin in a telephone conversation that he had with Foreign Minister and State Councilor Wang Yi. Certainly, these robust measures have gone a long way in ensuring that the virus has not spread wider and in greater numbers.

There are many impressive scenes in this outbreak prevention and control battle. What has impressed me the most are the sacrifices made by those at the front line of the effort to address this very difficult situation. These include the doctors and nurses. They have exposed themselves to great danger. This crisis has also shown the Chinese system’s strengths. These included the willingness to take very difficult decisions, particularly to restrict movement and to quarantine yourself in your home.

Early in the outbreak, China’s response has been quick and transparent. It shared the gene code of the virus very quickly with WHO. Especially in today’s world, with the deepening of globalization, when we are more inter-connected than ever before and cooperation is needed to solve problems together.

In terms of international cooperation, the recently held ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers Meeting in Vientiane recently demonstrated the importance that all parties attached to together addressing the issue. As close friends and neighbors, this is what we should do. The meeting also adopted a series of measures to address not only this problem, but future outbreaks as well. As Chairman of APEC this year, Malaysia will be more than willing to work closely with China to promote cooperation at the APEC level in this regard.

The outbreak of COVID-19 is a public health emergency, and we should not politicize the issue. In trying times such as these, it is more important than ever for peoples and countries to come together. It is also important that decisions taken by individuals and governments alike, should be based on facts and scientific evidence. That is certainly the approach taken by the Malaysian government to address this situation. Acts of discrimination based on race, religion and belief must always be condemned, especially during difficult times.

This crisis poses a challenge for the world, since China is today responsible for a significant proportion of global economic growth. We are confident that the Chinese government will take the necessary steps to eradicate the virus, stimulate the global economy and place China back in the global supply chain.

The author, Raja Dato' Nushirwan Zainal Abidin, is the Ambassador of Malaysia to China. The opinion expressed is not necessarily the view of People’s Daily.

(Compiled by Li Yan)