Humanity will ultimately win

Africa and China working together to demonstrate that solidarity and cooperation are the best weapon to defeat the novel coronavirus

Over the past millennia, microbes that live in the air, in water, in the soil, in the bodies of animals, have helped, sometimes decisively, to direct the course of human history. Having been the main cause of death, germs have decisively shaped the history of mankind. For example, Jared Diamond, professor of Geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, tells us in his book Guns, Germs and Steel that "until World War II, war-borne microbes killed more people than war wounds".

Having at least initially gained control over the virus within its national borders, China has decided to launch a gigantic crusade against COVID-19 around the world, the objective being to eradicate the pandemic.

This is one of the reasons why the Chinese government is increasing the material and financial support it is extending to countries around the world.
In his keynote speech at the extraordinary China-Africa Summit On Solidarity Against COVID-19 on June 17, 2020, President Xi Jinping made a strong plea for multilateralism, calling "solidarity and cooperation" the most powerful weapon against the virus.

Let us recall that these remarks were made at the very moment when centrifugal forces were working to weaken global health governance, as shown by the vile attacks against the director-general of the World Health Organization, the attempts at financial strangulation of this institution, the exit from the WHO of the world's largest economy, and the increasing of sanctions against a country such as Cuba in the vanguard－with China－of the struggle against the pandemic.

The politicization of the virus and geostrategic considerations will only hamper international cooperation efforts. It is unfortunate that the global fight against the pandemic is taking place in a crazy atmosphere of competition between the two largest economies, geopolitical issues having prevailed over all other considerations: medical, sociological, anthropological and economic.

Countries are paying a high price for the lack of solidarity and international cooperation, a failure crowned by the desire to weaken the United Nations institutions guaranteeing multilateralism such as the WHO, from which the United States has now withdrawn.

It is comforting to know that China and Africa have made the opposite choice by pledging to work together "to preserve the system of global governance centered on the United Nations". As part of the fight against COVID-19, support for the WHO is necessary.

I believe that China is well prepared to lead the fight against the virus. Slandered by the leaders of the West, China is nevertheless the country which, in just a matter of weeks, succeeded in largely stemming a serious epidemic.

Under the leadership of President Xi, the Chinese government has shown, in the eyes of the world, that public health is a national priority, in accordance with his call to "always put people and their lives front and center".
International solidarity and global cooperation against the pandemic are a categorical imperative, particularly in building a "global community of health for all" so dear to President Xi.

With regard to the Africa-China strategic partnership in the health field, the anticipatory power of the structures is expected to put in place. For example, the Beijing Plan of Action (2019-21) provided for the construction of the African Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the China-Africa Friendship Hospitals.

Africa remains one of the least affected continents for the moment, but the situation could change at any time. Faced with the public health threat, the continent did not sit idly by. Bold initiatives have been taken in terms of pharmacopoeias. One of these initiatives is the COVID-Organics based on Artemisia promoted by Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina. The uncertainties linked to this type of initiative must be resolved as soon as possible by an increased interest in scientific research and active support for African laboratories in universities and research centers. Likewise, dynamic partnerships should be able to be established between traditional Chinese medicine and traditional African medicine.

Africa-China partnerships in this specific area are needed. Africa does not intend to be left at the mercy of Big Pharma, and we can already rejoice that China has decided to make any vaccine it develops, a "public good", the aim being to ensure the accessibility and affordability of this vaccine for the greatest number of people.

The pandemic has brought to light the issue of the vulnerability of developing economies. Even in developed countries, the question of the alternative between health and the economy arose in acute terms. The question was whether to prioritize the health of populations at the expense of economic growth or vice versa. It is this alternative that has prompted many countries to exit containment early and limit quarantine to the bare minimum, thereby running the risk of seeing the pandemic flare up, as is currently the case in the United States.

The debt burden has complicated the situation for African countries. The measures taken by the international community and China to suspend or even alleviate the debt burden should be welcomed. The difficulties currently encountered by some of the Western countries show the fragility to which the nations subjected to massive de-industrialization are exposed.

Regarding support for Africa's industrialization, it's good to see that China's will remains steadfast. It is significant that in the context of the fight against the virus, President Xi said: "Promoting the achievement of sustained development in Africa is a way of the future." China is supporting Africa in building the continental free trade area and its efforts to strengthen connectivity and improve industrial and supply chains. China is ready to work with Africa to expand cooperation in the digital economy, smart cities, clean energy, 5G and other new forms of business, so as to contribute to development and emergence of Africa.

The author is member of the International Institute of Philosophy (Paris) and former vice-president of Codesria (Dakar). The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.