A community with a shared future, a battle needs to fight together — Initiative of the Presidium of the Belt and Road Journalists Network

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), countries around the world
have looked out for each other and joined hands in the battle against the epidemic. This battle
makes us feel more than ever that human society is a community with a shared future that is
interconnected and shares weal and woe. In the face of global challenges, all countries must work
together to overcome difficulties.
After the outbreak of COVID-19, China promptly informed the international community about the
epidemic, shared the genome sequence of the virus, introduced its epidemic prevention and
control experience, and actively provided assistance to countries hard hit by the epidemic. China’s
efforts have bought valuable time for other countries and made important contributions to the fight
against the epidemic worldwide. China’s battle against the epidemic is an important part of the
global war of epidemic prevention and control. We express our support and appreciation for
China’s efforts.
At present, the novel coronavirus is still spreading in many countries, and COVID-19 has shown
characteristics of a pandemic. We are deeply concerned about the grim situation faced by the
affected countries, sympathize with those countries and people suffering from the disease, and
really care for the well-being of journalists working on the frontline of the COVID-19 battle. We
would like to express solidarity and respect to journalists from all countries, and advocate that
journalist organizations of all countries take action to effectively safeguard the well-being and
legitimate rights and interests of journalists and provide good conditions for their work.
Media serve as an important channel to strengthen communication and enhance understanding for
human beings. We have seen that most of the media outlets in the world have played a positive
and important role in communicating information, mobilizing the public, and fighting the
epidemic, but there are also some media outlets that ignore facts, spread rumors, and even defame
and stigmatize other countries, causing adverse effects. In times of crisis, rumors are more terrible
than the virus itself. At a critical moment when people of all countries around the world work
together to fight the epidemic, we call on member organizations and partners to strengthen unity,
keep in close communication, guide the media and journalists to proactively communicate and
amplify the objective, rational and scientific voice, and resolutely oppose unconstructive practices
such as spreading false information and engaging in fear-mongering, blame-shifting and finger-
pointing.
We sincerely invite all member organizations and partners to introduce to the press of various
countries their positive measures and latest progress in fighting the epidemic through the
information communication mechanism of the Belt and Road Journalists Network, and share
stories of media professionals who brave risks to fight the epidemic, so as to gather together the
positive energy to overcome the epidemic.
In the community with a shared future for mankind, we are waves of the same sea, leaves of the
same tree, and flowers of the same garden. We believe that through our joint efforts, we will
ultimately defeat the epidemic worldwide. Like the rainbow after a storm, the world will be a
better place to live in after the epidemic.
The Presidium of the Belt and Road Journalists Network