Summary: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, Beijing has achieved major progress in foreign-related epidemic containment efforts. Its successful experience in the fight against the epidemic can be summarized into four aspects: upholding Party leadership, putting people first, making international cooperation a top priority, and responding to the challenge with immense courage. As the epidemic is still raging around the globe, we should closely follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, stay prepared, both in thinking and action, for long-term changes in the external environment, and advance foreign-related work amid regular epidemic prevention and control efforts in a coordinated manner.
The COVID-19 epidemic is the most serious global public health emergency since the end of World War II. In face of the epidemic, departments in the city's foreign affairs system has followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, earnestly implemented the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee on foreign affairs and the requirements of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, pooled resources at home and abroad, taken swift and strict measures to fight the virus, and actively participated in international anti-epidemic cooperation. Beijing has fulfilled its responsibility and lived up to its role as the capital of a major country, winning high praises from the international community.
Major progress made in foreign-related epidemic containment efforts
French historian Alexis de Tocqueville noted that major countries are destined for greatness and eternity, and must honor their responsibilities and suffer pain at the same time. As the capital of a major country, Beijing serves as an international exchange center and a core area for implementing China's major country diplomacy. How well Beijing does in containing the outbreak has a bearing on the overall work of the CPC and the country, China's overall epidemic response, and the country's image on the global stage. Through painstaking and unremitting efforts, Beijing has achieved major progress in foreign-related epidemic containment efforts.
Strengthening awareness of the capital's mission and endeavoring to win the fight against the virus. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, Beijing is a key battlefield in the fight against the virus and a place whose success is vital for the entire country's epidemic response. After the COVID-19 outbreak, the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the People's Government of Beijing Municipality attached great importance to foreign-related epidemic prevention and control, took targeted measures based on the strategic positioning of Beijing and the situation of the epidemic, and put in place a collaborative, open and transparent epidemic response system in the shortest period of time. Keeping the country's diplomatic policies and the health and safety of the people in mind, Beijing developed the foreign-related epidemic response strategy immediately after the outbreak, reiterating the principle of providing equal protection to Chinese and foreign nationals and including foreigners in the community health management system. We promptly released policies, studied and introduced innovative management principles and guidelines such as the guidelines on foreign-related work at community level and the epidemic prevention and control measures for communities (villages) where a large number of foreigners live. These documents have provided guidance for the city's foreign-related epidemic prevention and control efforts. After the mechanism of city's leading group on epidemic prevention and control and the joint prevention and control coordination mechanism concerning travelers arriving in Beijing were connected, a foreign affairs taskforce was set up to lead and coordinate epidemic responses. After the epidemic started to sweep around the world, Beijing saw an average of 6,000 to 8,000 inbound travelers a day during the peak period, adding difficulty to its epidemic containment efforts. In response, civil aviation, customs, public security, health, border inspection, airport, and other departments joined forces to build a line of defense against imported cases. Close attention has been paid to prevention and control at source, preventive screening, appropriate treatment, community-based prevention and control, and risk alert. Measures such as temperature detection and information screening before boarding from abroad are strictly implemented; and the New China International Exhibition Center was used as a transit center for inbound travelers, all of whom must undergo nucleic acid testing and be transferred in a centralized manner, thus forming a point-to-point closed-loop prevention and control system throughout the process. The rapid emergency response mechanism was improved so that all major foreign-related emergencies can be handled within 24 hours. In addition, the municipal authorities have been keeping track of the epidemic situation, epidemic response policies, and emergencies in more than 160 countries and regions, and strengthened research and assessment so as to timely adjust the prevention and control measures when necessary.
Playing an exemplary role and improving governance efficiency in the capital's foreign affairs. As pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping, the reform of the foreign-related work system is of great importance, given the need to promote the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity. We protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreigners in Beijing in accordance with law and provide needed services for diplomatic missions and foreigners in Beijing. When anti-epidemic materials were in tight supply, we assisted some embassies in purchasing masks and disinfectants; 80 embassies and ambassadors expressed their gratitude via letter or telephone. We do our best to ensure the basic needs of foreign students and teachers are met, fully respect their cultures, customs, lifestyles, and religious beliefs, and offer them psychological support. Six foreigners infected with the virus received timely medical treatment and have been discharged from hospitals. We provide 24-hour policy interpretation and consulting services and release information on epidemic prevention and control, transportation, education, health, and city operations in a timely manner through the multilingual service hotline, the hotline and website of Beijing Foreign Affairs Office, and the Office's WeChat account. We are always concerned about the health and safety of Chinese people stranded abroad. We provide telephone counselling on treatment and medication for confirmed COVID-19 patients abroad and recommended online consulting services rendered by Baidu and JD.com to more than 100 Chinese embassies. Experts were organized to provide guidance and consulting services via video conferencing, such as epidemic prevention and control training for employees of Chinese enterprises in Angola and Chinese students in the United States, Britain, and other countries, to safeguard the health and safety of Chinese citizens abroad.
Contributing the capital's efforts and wisdom and working with the international community in epidemic prevention and control. Solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapon for the international community to win the fight against the epidemic. Leveraging its advantages in scientific and technological innovation and medical resources, the capital city coordinates resources in the government and private sectors, and joins hands with its sister cities to fight the epidemic and contribute Chinese wisdom to global public health governance.
Mutual assistance with sister cities has been enhanced. Beijing and its sister cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, and Cologne supported each other via messages of sympathy and much-needed donations. As of now, Beijing has received letters of support from 24 sister cities, and donations to us at both the city and district levels included more than 100,000 masks, 5,000 protective gowns, 10,000 pairs of gloves, and 40 thermal imagers. Cai Qi, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and Chen Jining, Mayor of Beijing, sent letters of support to 34 sister city leaders, and the city donated anti-epidemic materials to 48 sister cities in 23 countries. City leaders such as Mayor of Seoul Park Won-soon and Mayor of Cologne Henriette Reker issued statements and recorded videos expressing their gratitude to Beijing.
Experience sharing has been strengthened. Beijing has held video conferences to share its experience in epidemic prevention and control with 26 sister cities, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and other international organizations. Beijing also participated in the virtual meeting hosted by the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group on sharing the Chinese experience in the fight against COVID-19, and selected experienced community-level persons in charge to participate in the video conferences between experts of China and Central and Eastern European countries and between experts of China and Latin American and Caribbean countries, thus contributing to the global fight against the epidemic and winning high praises from the international community.
In addition, the role of technology in virus containment has been highlighted. Research institutes and technology companies based in Beijing are encouraged to export high-end medical equipment such as the AI-assisted CT imaging diagnostic system for the novel coronavirus, smart, mobile and instant temperature detectors, and integrated invasive/non-invasive therapeutic ventilators, and some of the products have obtained the CE Marking for access to markets in the European Union and have been applied in Japan and Italy. In line with the principle of information sharing, Beijing has made available its research results in the application of AI algorithms and computing power in viral diseases to all genetic testing institutions and disease control centers around the world for free, thus contributing Chinese wisdom to the global epidemic prevention and control efforts.
Providing comprehensive services to help resume production and bring life back to normal as prompt as possible. The ongoing epidemic has hindered the free flow of production factors and caused disruption to the global industry chain and supply chain. According to the requirements of ensuring stability on six fronts (employment, the financial sector, foreign trade, foreign and domestic investment, and expectations) and maintaining security in six areas (job security, basic living needs, operations of market entities, food and energy security, stable industrial and supply chains, and the normal functioning of primary-level governments), Beijing has proactively leveraged the advantages in foreign affairs channels and resources to coordinate foreign-related epidemic containment efforts and the resumption of work and production. A package of measures were rolled out to restore the city's pro-business image. Municipal leaders sent messages to 285 key foreign-funded enterprises and heads of overseas business associations to promote Beijing's safe, well-regulated, and open business environment in an effort to attract foreign investors while creating a comfortable and stable environment for them. The "virtual meetings" have been launched. Cai Qi, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, met with the executives of Comcast Corporation and Universal Parks & Resorts, two American companies, and Daimler, a German auto maker, via video conferencing to offer reassurance, boost foreign investors' confidence in the city and promote international cooperation. A Beijing International Lecture was held where experts analyzed the impacts of the epidemic on the global supply chain and the countermeasures to facilitate decision making. One-to-one services are provided for key foreign-funded enterprises to help them address various problems such as shortage of anti-epidemic materials. In addition, the city has taken measures to facilitate the return of foreign employees to Beijing and promoted the international version of the "Health Kit" mini-program. Up to now, all key foreign-funded enterprises have resumed operations and 92% of their employees have been back on duty, reflecting that work and life in the capital city are returning to normal in an orderly manner.
Experience summarized in foreign-related epidemic prevention and control
In the face of this unprecedented global public health crisis, officials of Beijing's foreign affairs system have earnestly implemented the instructions and important remarks of General Secretary Xi Jinping and the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on epidemic prevention and control. We endeavor to strengthen our consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and keep in alignment with the central Party leadership; stay confident in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics; and uphold General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the CPC Central Committee and the whole Party, and uphold the authority and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee. We braved difficulties, advanced foreign-related work in epidemic prevention and control, carried out international anti-epidemic cooperation, consolidated Beijing's status as the center for international exchanges, and lent new momentum to its core function for pursuing China's major country diplomacy. In the all-out people's war against the virus, we have keenly felt the importance of work in the following four aspects.
Upholding Party leadership. Upholding Party leadership in foreign-related work is the overarching principle of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy. After the COVID-19 outbreak, the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee promptly established the leading group for epidemic prevention and control, set up the joint prevention and control coordination mechanism concerning travelers arriving in Beijing, and strengthened centralized leadership and overall planning for foreign-related epidemic prevention and control efforts on all fronts. Mr. Cai Qi discusses the situation and the measures with experts from the center for disease control on a daily basis and has convened a number of meetings of the leading group for epidemic prevention and control, plenary meetings of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and meetings of the Leading Group for Improving Beijing's Role as an International Exchange Center, where he puts forward clear requirements on foreign-related epidemic containment efforts. The Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee plays a vital role in overall planning and coordination. It promptly set up dedicated teams, and actively coordinates with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on key tasks. As a result, great strides have been made in the fight against COVID-19. All districts and relevant departments perform their respective duties while working closely with the foreign affairs system to form synergy and to ensure that all epidemic prevention and control measures are implemented effectively.
Putting people first. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasizes that we must always put people's safety and health first. Committed to "serving the people", the foreign affairs system of Beijing shows great care for the people and works to address their immediate needs. We keep close track of the situation of Beijing residents who have to stay abroad because of the epidemic and Chinese-funded enterprises abroad, and provide consular protection for those in need. We offer online medical consultation services and remote health education platforms and provide necessary materials and assistance to help people solve various problems such as difficulty in getting medical services and high risk of infection when going to hospitals. On the basis of a survey of underage Chinese students abroad, we help arrange flights to bring them home. With the help of platforms such as Consular Protection Publicity, we release epidemic prevention and control guidelines and posters to overseas Chinese and have received more than 15,000 phone calls, including those via the "12345" hotline, honoring our commitment to serving the people, no matter where they are.
Making international cooperation a top priority in the fight against the epidemic. At the most crucial and straining moment to curb the spread of the virus, our sister cities extended their helping hands. After the virus spread across the world, Beijing returned their favor by providing timely assistance to the best of our abilities. A medical team from Beijing was sent to the frontline in Guinea, bringing advanced diagnosis and treatment plans, epidemic prevention and control guidelines, as well as testing kits and medicines that can suffice for six months. Nearly 100 companies in Beijing raced against time to produce medical supplies. Traditional Chinese medicine companies represented by Beijing Tong Ren Tang Group, along with their medicines, have reached other parts of the world, making special contributions to the global anti-epidemic fight and receiving international acclaim. We must "not let our vision be blocked by floating clouds" and should keep in mind that "all flowers in full blossom make a beautiful spring" in building a community with a shared future for mankind. We will continue to fulfil our responsibility as the capital of a major country and write a new chapter in international anti-epidemic cooperation.
Responding to the challenge with immense courage. True heroes arise in times of hardship. The epidemic is also a test for foreign affairs officials in Beijing. During the fight against COVID-19, a total of 58 foreign affairs officials at municipal and district levels went to community organizations. They provided guidance in epidemic screening for the community, and helped confirm the information of nearly 6,000 foreign nationals returning to Beijing. They traveled to and from the airport many times and inspected the anti-epidemic work in embassy quarters and diplomatic apartments. Bearing the Party's founding mission in mind, they have given full play to the pioneering and exemplary role of Party members. Our foreign affairs officials have safeguarded the national interests and sacrificed individual interests for public good. Their persistence and dedication, no matter in scorching summer or freezing winter, are embodied in numerous touching and commendable deeds. They have responded to the challenge with great courage and perseverance, and fulfilled their responsibility admirably.
Next steps in our work
As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, the fight against the virus has reached a critical moment. Against this backdrop, we will thoroughly study the speeches and instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, stay prepared, both in thinking and action, for changes in the external environment for a long period of time, and advance foreign-related work amid regular epidemic prevention and control efforts in a coordinated manner.
Ensuring foreign-related epidemic prevention and control in the coming days. While the prevention and control measures have produced positive results, we need to remain vigilant and never slack off. We will do our best to deal with the risk of imported cases, implement all measures in a solid and meticulous manner, strengthen category-based epidemic control measures for inbound foreign travelers, and double down on consular protection and assistance to consolidate the positive results we have achieved.
Innovating in high-level foreign-related work to support the resumption of work and production. It is our mission to promote the in-depth integration of external and internal affairs, and fully utilize foreign-related resources in fulfilling key tasks of the capital. We will continue to develop high-quality, high-level foreign affairs products up to high standard, carry out more quality online events for international exchanges, and elevate Beijing's image as a safe and open metropolis to create an enabling atmosphere for the resumption of work and production.
Coordinating the efforts of developing Beijing into an international exchange center. We will seize the opportunities for new business models and patterns brought by the epidemic and hold online exhibitions and international cultural festivals based on the plans for new infrastructures, new scenarios, new consumption, further opening-up, and new services. We will continue to stimulate consumption while attracting foreign investment and promoting international trade, boost the nighttime economy, first-store economy, and sports economy, and make the most of the resources of duty-free shops in order to make Beijing an international consumption center. We will leverage 5G, big data, cloud computing, and other technologies to optimize international education, healthcare, and talent community management models with new concepts.
Improving Beijing's governance capacity in foreign-related work in an all-round way. With the establishment of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Leading Group for Improving Beijing's Role as an International Exchange Center, a "macro foreign-related work pattern" led by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee has taken shape, ushering in a new phase of the capital's foreign-related work. We will uphold Party leadership and serve the two deliberation and coordination organs of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. On this basis, we will further improve the leadership and working mechanism, build a better foreign-related system, improve relevant policies and regulations, carry out foreign-related work in accordance with law. Our aim is to put in place a governance system with Beijing characteristics, and continuously enhance our governance capacity.
Author: Xiong Jiuling, Director General of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality
This article was first published in Frontline, Issue 7, 2020.
