Screenshot: idcpc.org.cn

People’s Daily (Beijing) - The Online Conference “Synergy and Cooperation Against COVID-19: Asian Political Parties at Work" opened in Beijing on Monday.

The conference, co-hosted by the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC) and the Secretariat of the International Conference of Asian Political Party (ICAPP) Standing Committee, aims for exchanges and dialogue among Asian political parties on epidemic control as the spread of COVID-19 worldwide brings formidable challenges to global public health security.

“The role of political parties could be brought into better play in offering political guidance on intensified experience sharing and cooperation among Asian countries in their joint response to the major challenge threatening people’s lives and safety,” said Song Tao, Minister of the IDCPC, in his welcome message to the conference.

The conference, which will run until April 3, invited leaders of ICAPP member parties and experts to share their views on how to combat COVID-19 globally and China’s experiences in fighting the virus. All information was provided in written and video form and uploaded on the English website of IDCPC and ICAPP.

The spread of COVID-19 is widening and the number of confirmed cases is increasing at  the global level despite various countermeasures. Jose de Venecia Jr., Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee and Park Ro-byug, Secretary General of the ICAPP, appealed in their joint message for the conference to members of ICAPP to cooperate and support each other until the virus is completely eradicated through robust measures of containment and the development of an effective vaccine.

“At this challenging time, we wish to express our collective political solidarity by reaffirming our firm stance uniting our efforts to overcome this pandemic,” the joint message said.

While fighting the epidemic head-on, China has taken an open, transparent and responsible attitude to the timely disclosure and sharing of relevant information, and made strenuous efforts to promote international cooperation in epidemic control, and provide assistance to the best of its ability.

“As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, it is imperative for the international community to strengthen confidence, act with unity and work together in a collective response at present. We must comprehensively step up international cooperation and foster greater synergy so that humanity could win the battle against such a major infectious disease,” said Song.

He pointed out that nations should be resolute in fighting an all-out global war against the COVID-19 outbreak, make a collective response for control and treatment on the international level, support international organizations in playing their active roles, and enhance international macro-economic policy coordination. Any responsible country or political party would not hesitate to resolutely oppose the unjustifiable practice of politicizing and stigmatizing the virus.

“By sharing our experience and coordinating measures on epidemic prevention and control, we shall be able to safeguard public health security in Asia and promote the common prosperity and development of all countries, thus making concerted efforts to build a community with a shared future for Asia,” said Song.

He also said that the CPC is ready to work together with world political parties to contribute to promoting global public health and security.

Over the years, the CPC and ICAPP members have maintained close, cooperative relations which served to promote solidarity and coordination among Asian nations. Following the outbreak in China, over 300 political parties and organizations from more than 120 countries including ICAPP members have sent over 500 messages of sympathy and solidarity to General Secretary Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee through the IDCPC, to lend their support to China’s epidemic control measures. This speaks volumes about the profound friendship Asian political parties cherish towards the CPC and the Chinese people.