When China is now at a critical point. Hisham Abubakr Metwally, who graduated from the Belt and Road School and Emerging Markets Institute at BNU in 2019, has had an English article published in the China Daily (February 18). Metwally, as the first economist research at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Trade explained that China is setting an example to the world during this epidemic.

In his article, he affirmed his confidence in China’s victory against the virus and expressed his belief that China has the ability to face the current challenge. The African people stand firmly with the Chinese people to overcome the difficulties and meet the arrival of spring.

 

(The article was published on China Daily in Feb. 18,2020. The link is as follows:

http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/18/WS5e4b3273a31012821727837b.html)

 

The original article is as follows:

Country Setting Example for World

By Hisham Abu Bakr Metwally, China Daily,2020-02-18

China has been facing a formidable challenge these days in the form of a deadly virus that does not differentiate between big and small, and affects everyone.

 

The novel coronavirus struck when Chinese families were preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year, causing untold misery and bringing life to a standstill across China.

 

China has always been able to face challenges with determination and hard work. The country has become an economic superpower, thanks to its strong leadership, which encourages innovation.

 

Having inspired the world through hard work, China is now setting an example through its fight against the novel coronavirus pneumonia outbreak. The large turnout of volunteers helping the nation combat the virus is an example of Chinese willingness to make sacrifices for the country.

 

China has been transparent in dealing with the disease, now named COVID-19, and sharing all details with other countries, which has helped to prevent its spread to more countries.

 

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has expressed his solidarity with China and the Chinese people, and Egypt has sent medical aid to the Chinese. On learning there was a severe shortage of face masks, Egyptian companies sent masks to China.

 

The news of the virus's spread, the havoc it created in terms of casualties, and the manner in which it paralyzed life in China came as a shock in Egypt.

 

Egypt shares very close relations with China, and it is also an important trade partner, importing goods worth about $13 billion in 2019, and exporting goods to China worth about $1.4 billion.

 

There is a large Egyptian community in China, with many Egyptians pursuing higher studies.

 

Despite the fear of the virus, many Egyptian students have preferred to remain in China because they are confident that China will be able to overcome the situation. Egyptian students feel safe in China.

 

There is no doubt the current situation in China will have an impact on countries around the world, since many countries depend on Chinese imports in different sectors. The fact that millions of Chinese tourists have stopped traveling will affect the tourism sector all over the world.

 

All countries should contribute to eliminating the virus and providing all possible support-material, technical and moral.

 

China was one of the countries that provided assistance to the African continent. Thank you, China, and we are with you.

 

We, as Arab, Islamic and African peoples, salute China's steadfastness, and we all stand with the Chinese people and the government in eliminating this virus,

 

(The author is first economist researcher at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily)

 

A Distinguished Professor of BNU and Former Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic: China's Fight against COVID-19: A Sense of Responsibility to the World

2020-02-22

 

 

Djoomart Otorbaev, a Distinguished Professor of BNU the Belt and Road School and Emerging Markets Institute, and former Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, published an article on cctv.com on February 22, expressing utmost respect and admiration, cordial greetings and firm support to the Chinese people. He also said that China’s current “people’s war”is not only responsible for China itself, but also for the world. China will win the “war”,and China’s economy will continue to grow well after the epidemic for its great fundamentals, resilience and potential.

(The article was published on CGTN in Feb.29, 2020. The link is as follows:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-02-22/China-s-fght-against-COVID-19-A-sense-of-responsibility-to-the-world-OfZsqO4p6E/index.html )

 

The original article is as follows:

China's Fight against COVID-19: A Sense of Responsibility to the World

By Djoomart Otorbaev, CGTN Feb-22,2020

 

At this critical time in fighting the coronavirus, I would like to express my genuine and deep sympathy for the people of China, and to pray for final victory over the deadly disease. So many innocent people have lost their lives; so many families have lost their loved ones.

 

Under those extreme circumstances herewith I would like to share with people of China my utmost profound respect and admiration. I'm proud that today Chinese nation is united as never before at the front line of global defense against the deadly disease.

 

Since the coronavirus outbreak, the whole country has been mobilized to fight the disease, made all necessary deployments, implemented unprecedented prevention and control measures to stop the spread of disease. The speed, intensity and coverage of China's response have been truly unique.

 

The country's nationwide efforts in fighting the coronavirus demonstrate the country's capability, strength and confidence in defeating the outbreak and its sense of staunch responsibility to the world.

 

"Don't be afraid. The light from all over the world is on you. Don't cry. It's not just me, everyone is together to give you strength." These are the lyrics of "You are not alone," written by Malaysian musicians to support China in its battle against the COVID-19 outbreak. Millions of people around the world are united in their support to Chinese people in its current battle.

 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on February 15 that the leaders of more than 160 countries and international organizations have already shown their support through telegrams or letters, while the governments and peoples of many countries have donated much-needed supplies.

 

The unity of Chinese people has been seen before during times of disaster, such as battling against the foods in Yangtze River in 1998, to SARS in 2003, and even huge earthquakes in 2008. However, the current situation and actual national response has been unique.

 

By employing professional staff, building temporary hospitals, quickly isolating the virus, sequencing its genome, mobilizing various provinces and even the army to help Hubei province, the country demonstrated its exceptional ability to get united and organized very quickly.

 

Although the virus first appeared in China, it is not a national virus. Outbreak of the virus could happen anywhere on the planet. The disease doesn't recognize borders, regulations or rules, political or economic arrangements.

 

The disease is the public enemy of all people around the world. It has now become the major test of the wisdom and capability of the international community to prevent and control the outbreak.

Almost everybody around the world highly appreciates the country's efficient measures to share crucial scientific information with all interested parties, being transparent with its efforts to stop the virus from spreading on a worldwide scale.

 

China not only reveals its institutional advantage of quickly mobilizing enormous resources to fight the disease, but also demonstrates its aspiration to meet the common interests of the entire world.

 

It was again a clear proof that in the era of globalization, all human beings are living in a small global settlement where they share the same wellbeing and obligations.

 

By endorsing the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, China now is not only taking responsibility for the safety and health of its people, but also committed to the cause of safeguarding international public health. In this invisible "war" with the coronavirus where no weapons are used, the entire world has become a small community of common destiny.

 

In times of crisis and viral epidemics, the world must engage in even closer cooperation. Unfortunately, the country is spending some of its valuable resources on fighting against preconception, rumors and even racism from some politicians and media outlets.

 

In general, the international reaction has been very positive, with a few exceptions, of course. "China's deadly coronavirus could be good for U.S. jobs, manufacturing," said not a simple person from the street, but U.S. Commerce Secretary Mr. Ross. I was so sad to read his statement.

 

It proved that the best responses to false statements shouldn't be the empty words, but quick and practical actions, and transparency. The challenges the outbreak has brought to the country's economic and social development will be transitory. With its strong fundamentals, persistence and potential, the Chinese economy is well placed to overcome all challenges.

 

The basic principles on which the country and its economy were built have not changed and will not change. I'm sure that from that disease, China will emerge much stronger and even more united.

 

The new coronavirus outbreak once again reminded us that the unilateral approach, nationalism and protectionism which are not in line with the interests of our world will not work in the era of globalization.

 

Ignorance, prejudices, or selfish practices that disregard the interests of others will not be able to secure safety of people. Cooperation, solidarity and coordinated efforts are the only routes to protect the interests of the mankind.

 

Current fight against the COVID-19 is again a clear proof that the world is a community with a shared present and a shared future. My belief, that those are the values that should be followed by all.

 

Since the onset of the coronavirus pneumonia, all nations have been working together in this nationwide battle. China has launched and is winning people's war against the deadly disease to protect lives and health of all people on Earth.

 

(Djoomart Otorbaev is the former prime minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and a distinguished professor of the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University. He is also a physics professor. The article reflects the author's views, and not necessarily those of CGTN.)

 

Letter from Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Distinguished Professor of BNU and Former Prime Minister of Japan: Fight the Virus Together to Make the World Full of “Friendly Affection”

2020-03-06

 

 

On March 6, Mr.Yukio Hatoyama, the former Prime Minister of Japan and Distinguished Professor of BNU the Belt and Road School and Emerging Markets Institute sent a letter to staff and students of BNU to express his greetings and regard. In addition, he praised China for adhering to Confucius’thought of “benevolence”and “love”,uniting to win the battle against the virus, and fully affirmed China’s strong leadership from the central government to the local government and the people.

(The original article was published on Chinadaily.com.cn in Mar.6, 2020. The link is as follows:

https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202003/06/WS5e61e72ca3107bb6b57a4c9f.html)

 

The following is the translation version:

While the battle between Chinese people and COVID-19 is in a state of anxiety, as a Distinguished Professor of BNU the Belt and Road School and Emerging Markets Institute, I am very concerned about the current situation of staff and students, and worried about whether the new semester is delayed. Has the university’s teaching plan been affected? I sincerely wish you all peace and health, and hope that the teaching plan can proceed smoothly.

 

At present, the problem that China and the world are facing is very serious, but I consider human

beings must be able to solve and overcome it. China in particular, I firmly believe that China as I

know it will successfully eliminate the virus and win the final victory!

 

The core of Confucius’ educational thought is “benevolence”, and the essence of “benevolence” is “love.” In this battle with novel coronavirus, compassionate human love is deeply reflected.

 

First of all, love was conveyed to Wuhan and Hubei from all over China. More than 40,000 medical staff rushed to Hubei from other provinces, cities and the military to increase aid, and various relief materials and funds were collected from all parts of China.

 

Moreover, China has always maintained good communication and contact with the governments and people of many countries in the world. Now, friends from all over the world are supporting China, and China is also supporting other countries. This is the power of love.

 

When I was Prime Minister of Japan, my basic thought was “friendly affection.” No matter in politics or diplomacy, it can’t be done without love.

 

A few days ago, the relief materials sent by Japan to Wuhan were marked “Although hills and rills set us apart, the moon and wind share our kind heart.” The story behind it proves the deep love in the long history of China and Japan. Where there is a friendly heart, there is no insurmountable difficulty.

 

It’s also worth mentioning that in the battle with novel coronavirus, China shows its extraordinary leadership to the world. The arrangement of medical staff in the front line, the rational allocation of medical materials, the rapid completion of the new hospital, the rapid development of new drugs and testing kits, and a large number of people consciously staying at home, all show the strong and powerful leadership of the central government, the local government and the people. Time has proved the good effect of these countermeasures, and the epidemic situation is also improving, which deeply moved me.

 

I am teaching the “leadership” course of “the master’s program in developing countries” in your School. In addition, the East Asian Community Institute of which I am the director and Emerging Markets Institute established “Joint Research Center of the Belt and Road” together to organize regular forums and carry out research activities. I expect the School to get faster and better development. In the future, we will continue to deepen cooperation and make joint efforts to further promote friendly exchanges between China and Japan and make the world full of friendship.

 

I wish you all good health, and wish China a normal social and economic order as soon as possible.

 

Help each other in times of difculty!

 

Let’s fight against the novel coronavirus, and make the world full of “friendly affection”!

 

Yours sincerely,

Yukio Hatoyama March 6, 2020