On February 7, Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, met with Acting Associate Administrator of UNDP Mourad Wahba.

Mr. Wahba transmitted a letter from Achim Steiner, Administrator of UNDP, to Chinese leaders on the prevention and control of novel coronavirus, expressing UNDP’s confidence in China, solidarity with the Chinese people, and commitment to provide all possible assistance.

Ambassador Zhang comprehensively introduced China's efforts to fight the outbreak. He said that under the deployment and command of President Xi Jinping, China has managed nationwide mobilization and deployment, making quick response to the outbreak. Fullest and strictest control measures are put in place. The efforts are achieving results. China is fully confident and capable of defeating the epidemic.

The Chinese government is engaged in international cooperation in an open, transparent and responsible manner, sharing information and effectively protecting the health of foreign nationals in China. China’s efforts are highly commended by the international community.

The UN has been standing in solidarity with China since the outbreak. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed in various ways his full support for and confidence in China’s prevention and control efforts. President of the 74th session of UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande called on the international community to maintain solidarity, respect science, and avoid panic and stigma. UNICEF responded quickly and provided emergency medical supplies to China. Administrator Steiner, several senior officials of the UN , as well as UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, UN Women, UNFPA, UN Office for South-South Cooperation and UN Alliance of Civilizations expressed support to China in different ways. To this, China is deeply grateful.

Zhang said that WHO has repeatedly called on countries not to overreact. China understands and respects the measures that some countries have adopted to strengthen quarantine and control. At the same time, some countries have applied comprehensive suspension of flights and restrictions on the entry of Chinese citizens, which are contrary to the professional recommendations of WHO. Instead of helping prevent and control the epidemic, these measures interfere with normal exchange of personnel and have negative effects. Countries that politicize the campaign against the outbreak and those who make racist comments and take a discriminatory attitude violate human conscience and should be severely condemned.