UN chief praises China's efforts in global fight against COVID-19
Xinhua
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Photo: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres talks at the WHO headquarters in Geneva on Monday about the global fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak. /Xinhua

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday praised China's efforts in the global fight against the COVID-19, noting that its sacrifice is a great contribution to all mankind.

After discussing the COVID-19 outbreak with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Guterres called on all countries to assume their responsibilities in combating the COVID-19.

The UN chief urged all countries to "do everything to be prepared" for containing the epidemic, stressing the principles of non-discrimination and non-stigmatization and noting that human rights should be respected.

"If some fail, if some do not do everything that is needed, this disease can still become out of control with dramatic consequences in global health and economy," he warned.

In response to a question from Xinhua, Guterres expressed his gratitude to all the people in China who are sacrificing many aspects of their normal lives to prevent the virus from spreading to others.

The decline of the number of new cases since the beginning of February is a very good indication, Guterres said, expressing the hope that this trend can be maintained on a continuous basis.