Joint Initiative on Promoting International Cooperation in COVID-19 Prevention and Control and High-quality Development of CPEC
Cooperative CPEC Think Tanks
July 22, 2020
In order to fight against COVID-19 and promote the Belt and Road construction, China Center for Contemporary World Studies, National Institute of International Strategy of CASS, Belt and Road Initiative International Think Tank of CASS, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Research and Development International and Pakistan-China Institute have jointly held an online dialogue on July 22, 2020, under the guidance of Silk Road Think Tank Association. After friendly and in-depth exchanges in promoting international cooperation in COVID-19 prevention and control as well as high-quality development of the Belt and Road, we reach the consensus as follows, which are publicized in the form of this common initiative:
Firstly, the spirit of a community with a shared future for mankind should be adhered to in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, which has become one of the most severe challenges for humanity. Only by strengthening cooperation among all countries can the virus be contained and eliminated. To safeguard people's health around the world, all parties should uphold the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, work together to help one another, and strengthen international cooperation in curbing COVID-19 spread.
Secondly, the World Health Organization's leading role in international cooperation should be supported. Global solidarity and multilateralism are critical in the fight against COVID-19. WHO is the most important specialized international organization in this global public health crisis and its central role in information sharing and policy coordinating cannot be ignored or replaced.
Thirdly, the politicization of global health issues should be opposed and international fairness and justice must be ensured. We are strongly against the politicization of the pandemic issue, naming the virus after a specific country or place, and associated racial discrimination and ideological bias, which have seriously threatened global cooperation and solidarity. We insist international fairness and justice should be firmly uphold and the common interests of the developing countries should be respected and realized.
Fourthly, the principle of broad consultation, common contribution and mutual benefits in constructing the Belt and Road should be adhered to despite the challenges of COVID-19. In order to accelerate its construction, we should further strengthen policy communication and coordination to overcome the difficulties and problems caused by the pandemic, including resuming work and production, incorporating health into development policies and improving people's living standards.
Fifthly, the Belt and Road countries' capacities of transnational communicable disease prevention and control, especially the joint emergency response, should be further strengthened. Facing severe challenges posed by COVID-19, parties to Belt and Road construction should further join hands in providing medical aid and assistance to countries in need, making arrangements of joint disease prevention and control, and increasing investments in public health infrastructure, so as to make valuable contributions to the final victory of this global war.
Sixthly, parties to the Belt and Road should explore a new path for the Belt and Road cooperation in the current situation of the world. As pointed out by President Xi Jinping at opening ceremony of 2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit on September 3rd, 2018, "Our world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century." Within the framework of the Belt and Road, industrial parks should be built with high quality, the safety and stability of industrial chains and supply chains be ensured, new sources of economic growth be tapped, and innovative forms of cooperation be explored to achieve sustainable development.
Seventhly, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) cooperation should be deepened to have its demonstration effect fully displayed. CPEC construction is a flagship project of the Belt and Road and serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples. With the joint efforts of both sides, remarkable achievements have been made in its construction. We should explore ways of cooperation suitable for both sides and initiate more projects which can produce early cooperation results, making CPEC a model of sustainable development and demonstrating the effects and vitalities of the Belt and Road.
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