Forum pools wisdom for pandemic fight

Five Chinese research institutions including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and five foreign institutions based in Russia, Argentina, South Africa, Belgium and the United Kingdom, jointly hosted the event.

Following its opening and plenary meeting on Tuesday, four sub-forums on economic recovery, public health governance, balancing control and social and economic development, and challenges in international cooperation, were held on Wednesday.

In the keynote speech on Tuesday night, an official from the State Council Information Office said that facing the unexpected, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have made its people and their lives the top priority, and President Xi Jinping has taken personal command and planned the response. He said China has always stood with other countries and fought shoulder to shoulder with them.

Ban Ki-moon, chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and former secretary-general of the United Nations, said in a message that Xi proposed measures to consolidate global efforts during this year's World Health Assembly in May, which Ban called an admirable act. "Upholding the notion of a community of a shared future and joining hands to fight together is the right tonic," he said.

During the opening, Stjepan Mesic, former president of Croatia, thanked China for providing humanitarian aid to a number of foreign countries and for stepping up donations to the WHO, which will help foster global values in solidarity and cooperation.

Zeng Peiyan, chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and former vice-premier, urged the reduction of politicization, finger-pointing and Cold War mentality, and called for more science-based discussions, partnerships and united action.

"The issue regarding the origin of the virus must be taken with a rational and fact-based mind. Such scientific questions must not be taken lightly," he said. "It is crucial that we share knowledge and work together to create effective vaccines, as well as coordinate macroeconomic policies and toughen up the global industry chain," he said.

Yasuo Fukuda, the former Japanese prime minister, said some countries are preoccupied with shifting blame and directing criticism, which has deepened distrust and constitutes what he said is the largest obstacle in stimulating global action.

"Short-term compromise can be made in order to achieve a long-term balance of interests, build mutually trustworthy partnerships and promote awareness of interdependence," he said. "This also lies at the core of the notion of a community of a shared future for all mankind."