Xi Jinping: The Chinese leader with the model helping the world contain COVID-19
Ever wondered what it takes to lead a nation at the epicentre of a pandemic tilting the world askew? The President of China – Xi Jinping would be in a better position to explain.
At the height of the outbreak of the virus in Wuhan and other cities in China, Xi’s steady and effective crisis management ability helped the country to effectively monitor and contain the virus. This approach has earned China and its leadership praises from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others.
“We would have seen many more cases outside China by now – and probably deaths – if it were not for the government’s efforts,” the WHO said.
The models adopted by China in managing the crisis have also been adopted by other countries across Europe, Asia, America and Africa and the results have revealed that the models are working. When it became clear that it was already winning the battle, China started donating essential health equipment and sending health experts to other countries to support their fight against the virus.
During the virtual World Health Assembly in May, Xi Jinping also announced a $2 billion funding initiative for COVID-19 response.
While many African nations are groaning as the pandemic pushes many into huge debt following the lockdown of economic activities, Xi announced during a videoconference meeting with African leaders in June that China will be cancelling their interest-free loans.
Although his country has been widely criticised by the United States for lack of transparency in handling the pandemic at its early stage, Xi has continued to defend China and absolved it of any wrongdoing.
At the World Health Assembly, Xi said China has acted openly and responsibly in sharing information with the international community. He also assured world leaders that if China succeeds in developing a vaccine, it will share it widely.
“The vaccine, when available, will be made a global public good, this will assure China’s contribution to assure vaccine accessibility,” Xi said at the virtual World Health Assembly in May.
Xi has been widely commended for leading the most effective COVID-19 containment plan among world’s most populous nations, the failures of other world powers in effectively containing the virus before it turned into a full blown crisis has further earned Xi praises. For this he deserves a seat among the honourees on the Neusroom 100 project as one of the world leaders who showed leadership when it matters.
