by Raheela Nazir
ISLAMABAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Calling the novel coronavirus a "Chinese virus" is absolutely absurd and inhumane at a time when a globalized world needs cooperation, not denigration, said a political and international relations analyst.
"Rather than making mockery of the Chinese nation or calling the virus 'made in China', the world must learn from the miraculous measures China has adopted to defeat this invisible enemy," Yasir Masood, former director of media and publications at the Center of Excellence of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Recently, some U.S. politicians have connected the novel coronavirus with China, aiming to stigmatize the country and maintain a Cold War mentality.
Masood believed that such smearing tactics against China or any other country in these depressing times are not conducive to global harmony.
Epidemics have taken millions of lives throughout history and can wreak havoc at a moment's notice, Masoon said, adding "epidemics and natural disasters have no boundaries and they do not announce their arrival."
China has achieved great success in its fight against COVID-19, and now it is extending help to other countries to defeat this pandemic, he said.
"In this difficult time of confusion and dismay, the world must work collaboratively to end this pandemic rather than tossing political rhetoric," he added.
Regarding the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, the analyst said the country has a lot to learn from the exemplary steps taken by China to defeat the virus.
Masood, who was in China when the disease broke out in Wuhan, said the government's efforts to raise awareness by calling on the public to be socially responsible to stem the virus' spread is commendable.
"The sterilization of public places and collective quarantine were strictly adopted in the country and the suspected cases were taken care of," he said.
Praising the Chinese government and its people for their resilience, discipline, and unity during the outbreak, he said China's measures could be followed.
