Editor’s note: Now China is fighting against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) nationwide. Many foreign friends have either fought side by side with the Chinese people or showed great concern to the efforts the country is taking to curb the virus outbreak. Hira Khalid from Pakistan is currently a PhD student studying at Tianjin University. He published an article on the South China Morning Post recently and shared his opinion on Chinese people’s war against the COVID-19. The article is as follows.
China’s ‘people’s war’ against the coronavirus is proof of its greatness
The way all quarters of Chinese society are pulling together to overcome the challenge is inspiring.
I am a PhD student from Pakistan studying at Tianjin University. I am as worried as the Chinese people about the ongoing epidemic because China is my second home and this great country has provided me with wonderful professional opportunities and experiences.
I would like to praise the positive actions taken by my institute and the Chinese government. China is well known for its efficiency and hard work. In the face of the coronavirus outbreak, China has acted like a mature, civilised and global player, both in terms of health care and the economy.
I admire the brave and optimistic people of Wuhan. Due to fears that people may carry the virus without showing symptoms, residents’ temperatures are checked when entering and exiting public places. China is disinfecting entire cities, sterilising public places twice a day. Certain cities have been locked down to prevent the spread of the virus in the country and across the world.
Labs in China are joining others in the race to develop a vaccine against this deadly virus. Health care workers have sacrificed their vacations to serve on the front lines. Nurses cut their hair short to minimise possible virus transmission.
China achieved the impossible when it built two hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients in just 12 days.
Some university dormitories were also converted for quarantine use. Special arrangements have been made to enable students to continue to study remotely. The country is doing a better job than it did during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003 and has been praised by the World Health Organisation for its efforts. While the fact that the coronavirus has spread across the globe has caused some public anger, the Chinese people support their system. It is indeed a “people’s war” against the epidemic.
As an international student, I’ve always keenly observed and been impressed by the love and deep care instilled in Chinese students for their country. They are prepared to contribute massively. This is the main reason China is progressing in science and technology. Every single person works relentlessly and wholeheartedly. This is how great nations rise and China is a miraculous example.
This coronavirus outbreak shouldn’t frighten us but encourage us to fight. China’s positive outlook should encourage other countries to provide support.
Hira Khalid, Tianjin University, China.
Editor: Eva Yin
