MEETING GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES

China will defeat the epidemic and win the battle against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). That is for sure. The effectiveness, efficiency, responsiveness, scale and transparency showing the confidence, capacity, unity and determination of the Chinese Government and people will definitely bring about speedy and full victory over the epidemic.

Now, what warrants clear-eyed review is the long-term challenges to the very idea and approach of global governance.

The history of civilization is a history of struggle against diseases. The advancement of science and technology, along with international collaboration, has dramatically reduced the death tolls of pandemics in recent history, yet assumptions of having the upper-hand and control over viruses and the cyber era of the 21st century being immune to viruses, might turn out flat-out wrong. As we are developing and improving, so are viruses. The COVID-19 outbreak is again evidence that the specter of deadly epidemics still looms over us, and is ready to prove and assert its persistent existence.

Plus, in a globalized world, the spread of epidemics has unprecedentedly accelerated. Economic, political, social and security concerns have magnified both decision-makers’ and the public’s sensitivity to the outbreak of infectious diseases. A globalized world featuring more densely populated metropolitan areas with higher population mobility has strengthened viruses with higher fluidity, thereby posing even greater imminent risks to mankind.

Challenges ahead

Virus respects neither borders, nor nationalities or ethnicity. The outbreak of the epidemic has once again reminded us that every country and nation’s future is closely linked. Global governance and international coordination