BEIJING, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has decided to donate 20 million U.S. dollars to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support it in carrying out international cooperation in fighting the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, the WHO, under the leadership of Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has played an important role in promoting other countries to strengthen their prevention awareness and tackle the epidemic in a scientific and rational way, and in helping relevant countries improve their health system capacity, which have been widely recognized by the international community.

China highly appreciates WHO's understanding and support to the country's work in epidemic prevention and control.

Currently, the world is facing an escalating urgency of making global efforts in the joint prevention and control of the COVID-19, as the disease has broke out in multiple places and spread to more countries around the world.

As a response to the WHO's appeal, the donation is practical support for the organization to continue playing a better coordinating role in the global fight against the epidemic, especially in helping medium and small-sized countries with weak public health systems cement their defense against the outbreak.

Virus knows no boundaries, and to help others is to help oneself. China will continue to work with other countries for mutual help, contribute to safeguarding regional and international public health security, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.  ■