Xi makes proposals on battling COVID-19

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping made proposals on battling COVID-19 at the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Facing the virus, countries should put people and life first, said Xi, adding that "no case should be missed and no patient should be left untreated."

He called on countries to enhance solidarity and get through the pandemic together, emphasizing the leading role of the World Health Organization in the global response.

"We should follow the guidance of science, give full play to the leading role of the World Health Organization, and launch a joint international response to beat this pandemic," Xi said.

"Any attempt of politicizing the issue or stigmatization must be rejected," he added.

The Chinese president also called for comprehensive and long-term control measures in response to the pandemic.

"The major economies need to step up macro policy coordination," he said. "We should not only restart our own economies, but also contribute to global recovery."

Moreover, Xi emphasized that the world should show concern for and accommodate the need of developing countries, especially those in Africa.

"The international community needs to take timely and robust measures in such fields as debt relief and international assistance, ensure the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and help these countries overcome their difficulties," Xi said.