Trudeau warns against discrimination

While US President Donald Trump repeatedly defended calling COVID-19 the "Chinese virus" by saying "it's not racist at all", Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned against racial discrimination amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

"Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we reflect on the progress made in Canada and around the world to end all forms of racial discrimination," Trudeau said in a statement published Saturday.

"It is more important than ever to avoid the spread of fear, misinformation, and stigma. In times of need, our strength is determined by our ability to support and care for each other, as neighbours and as a community," Trudeau wrote. "I encourage Canadians to stand up together against discrimination and racism, and to promote our values of respect for diversity, inclusion, and openness."

By contrast, the next day Trump tweeted: "My friend (always there when I've needed him!), Senator @RandPaul, was just tested 'positive' from the Chinese Virus." That tweet and other recent remarks have sparked growing concern and criticism about the president's rhetoric.

Yves Tiberghien, a professor of political science at the University of British Columbia, said the world must face this emergency without divisiveness, "Otherwise, we will suffer greatly separately.

"We need urgent cooperation at all levels to share information and medical resources and solve the medical emergency. We need to learn from this crisis to be ready for all future pandemics that will be springing up from various origins in coming years," Tiberghien told China Daily.

"We also need urgent cooperation to deal with a global economic and financial crisis that is now potentially as dangerous as 2008. To make this possible, all countries must focus on mutual respect and on the common good. It is in the interest of all to do this and to set aside tit-for-tat accusations and targeted measures," Tiberghien added.

Dr Liu Mingyao, director of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto, said the experience and data from China, especially Wuhan, the initial epicenter of the outbreak, has been used by every country to design national strategies for fighting COVID-19 based on their own situations.

In recent days, "new cases in China were zero. It will greatly encourage people globally," said Liu. "It sends a clear signal that this disease can be controlled and conquered, as long as we work together (with) work based on scientific evidence and principle."

According to Liu, the control of COVID-19 in Singapore, Japan and South Korea also gives people great encouragement and hope that under rigorous controls, the disease can be quickly limited and eventually eliminated.

"I hope to see similar success in Europe and North America soon," Liu added.