China pledges new aid for global COVID-19 response

President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the Global Health Summit on Friday via video link from Beijing.

The summit was organized by Italy, the holder of the G20 presidency, in partnership with the European Commission.

The following are some highlights of his speech (Full text):

A battle for the people, by the people

The battle with COVID-19 is one for the people and by the people, President Xi said.

What has happened proves that to completely defeat the virus, we must put people's lives and health front and center, demonstrate a great sense of political responsibility and courage, and make extraordinary responses to an extraordinary challenge, he noted.

Spirit of science, science-based approach, law of science stressed

President Xi called on countries to advocate the spirit of science, adopt a science-based approach, and follow the law of science as the world is faced with the new infectious disease of COVID-19.

He stressed the need for a systemic response to coordinate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, balance targeted routine COVID-19 protocols and emergency measures, and ensure both epidemic control and socio-economic development.