Xi Jinping Calls for Building a ‘Health Silk Road’ for the Whole World

March 17, 2020 (EIRNS)—In a phone conversation yesterday with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, China’s President Xi Jinping called for increased cooperation with Italy, and all nations, “to contribute to international cooperation in combatting the epidemic and to the construction of a Health Silk Road,” according to a detailed report in Xinhua.

Now that it has its own COVID-19 epidemic more under control, China has been providing help—both equipment and personnel—to a number of countries, including Italy, Spain, Panama and others. In their phone conversation, Xi promised Italy additional help in its battle against COVID-19. According to Xinhua, Xi said that

“China will act prudently from beginning to end and strive for an early and complete victory over the epidemic, so as to provide other countries with confidence in their prevention and control efforts. Noting that the Italian government has taken a series of resolute prevention and control measures in response to the epidemic, Xi said that China firmly supports Italy and has full confidence in Italy’s victory over the epidemic. China identifies with Italy’s urgent concerns, and will send more medical experts to Italy and do its best to provide medical supplies and other assistance, Xi said. China is willing to work with Italy to contribute to international cooperation in combating the epidemic and to the construction of a Health Silk Road, Xi said.”