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Enhancing the National Biosecurity System in China amidst COVID-19 Epidemic
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The ongoing epidemic of novel Coronavirus 2019, formally relabeled “COVID-19” by the World Health Organization (WHO), caused almost 2345 fatalities by Feb 21, 2020, with over 65,000 cases confirmed worldwide. According to the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Feb 21, 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic has preliminarily been contained1 .
The COVID-19 epidemic has had an immediate impact on the Chinese and the world economy, since the national economies are significantly more interlinked now than when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit 17 years ago, and China plays a more significant role in the current world economy. While the epidemic put a damper on industries like transport and tourism, rapid growth has been registered in burgeoning sectors such as online shopping, food, and entertainment2 . Concurrently, the COVID-19 epidemic will have a long-term impact on China's capacity-building and biosecurity system for public health emergencies, and may even be a watershed moment.
The outbreak poses a serious challenge to China's national health emergency response capabilities, and is also a comprehensive test of the country's biological security system. The top political order on public health has demonstrated a competent national emergency response capacity in its efforts to end the epidemic. However, the emergency response capacity at the local and departmental level in a number of provinces and cities was below average3 , and various departments displayed unpreparedness, one of the main causes of the outbreak. Furthermore, rumors and conspiracy theories, centered upon the origin, scale, and magnitude of the epidemic4 , the misuse of outbreak for irrational purposes by extra-territorial countries, and COVID-19 as a bioweapon, have been circulating in affected countries across Asia since this virus was first discovered5 .
In response to the outbreak, the emergency research and development of diagnostic reagents,vaccines, therapeutics conducted by the national biosecurity system should be acknowledged6 . However, if the epidemic progresses and needs urgent scientific and technological support, the situation would become much worse. Moreover, the subject of biosecurity is extremely widespread and includes incidents such as bioterrorism, threat of biological weapons, cyber biosecurity7 , etc. Therefore, the reliability of the national biosecurity system is a thorny issue. Based on an analysis of 39 published Joint External Evaluation reports, the Nuclear Threat Initiative found that 74% of the assessed countries demonstrated limited or no capacity for a whole-of-government national biosafety and biosecurity system8 . Without extreme stress on the system, it is difficult to affirm the competence and reliability of the national biosecurity system.
The COVID-19 outbreak, no less severe than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, is also a new test of the international community’s ability to respond to major outbreaks of infectious diseases. The WHO, in response to the outbreak, activated the R&D Blueprint, which accelerated diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics for this novel coronavirus9 . Scientists and medical researchers in the US have been instructed to investigate the scientific origins of the novel coronavirus, as misinformation about the outbreak spread online10 . As a global alliance financing and coordinating the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) launched a new call for proposals to develop vaccines against coronavirus11 . To assist in ending this epidemic, The Lancet has created a Coronavirus Resource Centre. The Journal of the American Medical Association is providing updates on diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus.
Overall, the international community is remaining calm about China's outbreak, actively taking measures, and providing substantial support for prevention and control of the epidemic in China, by extending scientific research collaborations, such as between Europe and China. A number of world leaders have expressed their sympathies and extended support for China's battle against the COVID-19 epidemic12 . WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, paid tribute to the Chinese people, praising them for showing courage and patience in this extremely difficult time. Therefore, the international community's reaction to the epidemic reflects the rationality and further highlights the need to strengthen China’s concept of community of human destiny for public health.
Looking forward, the international biosecurity situation is prone to complications such as changes in climate and ecological environment due to globalization, urbanization, accelerated diffusion of technology, and advances in biotechnology and information technology. The abuse and misuse of biotechnology, such as for bioterror or strategic competition between large nations, cannot be excluded. Particularly, the risk of dysfunction in the international order brought by scientific and technological progress, which if mishandled, may lead to more serious consequences. Compared with the biosecurity situation in earlier times, the biosecurity situation in the new era is systematic, relevant, disruptive, and more susceptible to collapse.
As an advocate of the concept of the “Community of Human Destiny”, China would actively strive to develop innovative biosecurity measures. Enhancing a national biosafety and biosecurity system that protects scientists, healthcare workers, and public from exposure to harmful pathogens is a critical part of the nation’s efforts to bolster national security. According to 12th meeting of the CPC Central Committee for deepening overall reform held on Feb17, 2020, China will include biosecurity into its national security system13 . Efficient prevention and control of biosecurity incidents requires sharing of scientific knowledge and coordination between departments of disease prevention and control, medical institutions, and scientific research institutions14 . To cope with the unpredictability of biosecurity events, the daily operation mechanism of emergency systems, such as bio-surveillance and biomonitoring, will be further strengthened, with an assurance of immediate action in case of an outbreak. Raising awareness about biological risks among government officials at all levels and the public is of paramount importance. The list of tasks includes a comprehensive and holistic risk assessment of catastrophic infectious diseases, reorganization of response structure and response workforce, enactment of laws and regulations, and more effective distribution of medical countermeasures15 . Financial support for emergency response capacity and biosecurity discipline is also necessary. The sole objective is to transform the response to outbreaks of major infectious diseases from passive observation to active prediction and intervention.
Regional and global co-operation is also required to safeguard global biosecurity. However, without an independent assessment of national health security capability, it is difficult to fully understand needs, identify gaps, and track improvements over time. Since the launch of the Global Health Security Agenda, the international community has placed greater emphasis on measuring health security capacity and identifying gaps in preparedness, with the development of a Global Health Security Index as a good example16 . The urgent needs and concerns of the international community regarding public health and biosecurity highlight the need to fully mobilize national and international resources toward managing health crises. The next outbreak and biosecurity crisis may occur anywhere and anytime, thus, to avoid greater losses and more serious consequences, key problems must be resolved before the next epidemic.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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The ongoing epidemic of novel Coronavirus 2019, formally relabeled “COVID-19” by the World Health Organization (WHO), caused almost 2345 fatalities by Feb 21, 2020, with over 65,000 cases confirmed worldwide. According to the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Feb 21, 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic has preliminarily been contained1 .
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|
p
|
The COVID-19 epidemic has had an immediate impact on the Chinese and the world economy, since the national economies are significantly more interlinked now than when Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) hit 17 years ago, and China plays a more significant role in the current world economy. While the epidemic put a damper on industries like transport and tourism, rapid growth has been registered in burgeoning sectors such as online shopping, food, and entertainment2 . Concurrently, the COVID-19 epidemic will have a long-term impact on China's capacity-building and biosecurity system for public health emergencies, and may even be a watershed moment.
|
|
p
|
The outbreak poses a serious challenge to China's national health emergency response capabilities, and is also a comprehensive test of the country's biological security system. The top political order on public health has demonstrated a competent national emergency response capacity in its efforts to end the epidemic. However, the emergency response capacity at the local and departmental level in a number of provinces and cities was below average3 , and various departments displayed unpreparedness, one of the main causes of the outbreak. Furthermore, rumors and conspiracy theories, centered upon the origin, scale, and magnitude of the epidemic4 , the misuse of outbreak for irrational purposes by extra-territorial countries, and COVID-19 as a bioweapon, have been circulating in affected countries across Asia since this virus was first discovered5 .
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p
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In response to the outbreak, the emergency research and development of diagnostic reagents,vaccines, therapeutics conducted by the national biosecurity system should be acknowledged6 . However, if the epidemic progresses and needs urgent scientific and technological support, the situation would become much worse. Moreover, the subject of biosecurity is extremely widespread and includes incidents such as bioterrorism, threat of biological weapons, cyber biosecurity7 , etc. Therefore, the reliability of the national biosecurity system is a thorny issue. Based on an analysis of 39 published Joint External Evaluation reports, the Nuclear Threat Initiative found that 74% of the assessed countries demonstrated limited or no capacity for a whole-of-government national biosafety and biosecurity system8 . Without extreme stress on the system, it is difficult to affirm the competence and reliability of the national biosecurity system.
|
|
p
|
The COVID-19 outbreak, no less severe than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, is also a new test of the international community’s ability to respond to major outbreaks of infectious diseases. The WHO, in response to the outbreak, activated the R&D Blueprint, which accelerated diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics for this novel coronavirus9 . Scientists and medical researchers in the US have been instructed to investigate the scientific origins of the novel coronavirus, as misinformation about the outbreak spread online10 . As a global alliance financing and coordinating the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) launched a new call for proposals to develop vaccines against coronavirus11 . To assist in ending this epidemic, The Lancet has created a Coronavirus Resource Centre. The Journal of the American Medical Association is providing updates on diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus.
|
|
p
|
Overall, the international community is remaining calm about China's outbreak, actively taking measures, and providing substantial support for prevention and control of the epidemic in China, by extending scientific research collaborations, such as between Europe and China. A number of world leaders have expressed their sympathies and extended support for China's battle against the COVID-19 epidemic12 . WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, paid tribute to the Chinese people, praising them for showing courage and patience in this extremely difficult time. Therefore, the international community's reaction to the epidemic reflects the rationality and further highlights the need to strengthen China’s concept of community of human destiny for public health.
|
|
p
|
Looking forward, the international biosecurity situation is prone to complications such as changes in climate and ecological environment due to globalization, urbanization, accelerated diffusion of technology, and advances in biotechnology and information technology. The abuse and misuse of biotechnology, such as for bioterror or strategic competition between large nations, cannot be excluded. Particularly, the risk of dysfunction in the international order brought by scientific and technological progress, which if mishandled, may lead to more serious consequences. Compared with the biosecurity situation in earlier times, the biosecurity situation in the new era is systematic, relevant, disruptive, and more susceptible to collapse.
|
|
p
|
As an advocate of the concept of the “Community of Human Destiny”, China would actively strive to develop innovative biosecurity measures. Enhancing a national biosafety and biosecurity system that protects scientists, healthcare workers, and public from exposure to harmful pathogens is a critical part of the nation’s efforts to bolster national security. According to 12th meeting of the CPC Central Committee for deepening overall reform held on Feb17, 2020, China will include biosecurity into its national security system13 . Efficient prevention and control of biosecurity incidents requires sharing of scientific knowledge and coordination between departments of disease prevention and control, medical institutions, and scientific research institutions14 . To cope with the unpredictability of biosecurity events, the daily operation mechanism of emergency systems, such as bio-surveillance and biomonitoring, will be further strengthened, with an assurance of immediate action in case of an outbreak. Raising awareness about biological risks among government officials at all levels and the public is of paramount importance. The list of tasks includes a comprehensive and holistic risk assessment of catastrophic infectious diseases, reorganization of response structure and response workforce, enactment of laws and regulations, and more effective distribution of medical countermeasures15 . Financial support for emergency response capacity and biosecurity discipline is also necessary. The sole objective is to transform the response to outbreaks of major infectious diseases from passive observation to active prediction and intervention.
|
|
p
|
Regional and global co-operation is also required to safeguard global biosecurity. However, without an independent assessment of national health security capability, it is difficult to fully understand needs, identify gaps, and track improvements over time. Since the launch of the Global Health Security Agenda, the international community has placed greater emphasis on measuring health security capacity and identifying gaps in preparedness, with the development of a Global Health Security Index as a good example16 . The urgent needs and concerns of the international community regarding public health and biosecurity highlight the need to fully mobilize national and international resources toward managing health crises. The next outbreak and biosecurity crisis may occur anywhere and anytime, thus, to avoid greater losses and more serious consequences, key problems must be resolved before the next epidemic.
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Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Conflicts of interest
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The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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1 Xi Focus: Xi chairs leadership meeting on COVID-19 control, economic development. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020–02/22/c_138806969.htm.
2 Coronavirus impact on Chinese economy to be limited: Official. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2020–02/03/content_75683028.htm.
3 Coronavirus latest updates: Hubei's leader sacked as deaths in China pass 1300. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/feb/13/coronavirus-latest-updates-deaths-in-china-pass-1300-with-jump-in-cases-live-news?page=with:block-5e452dbf8f08e1332474283e.
4 Scientists ‘strongly condemn’ rumors and conspiracy theories about origin of coronavirus outbreak. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/02/scientists-strongly-condemn-rumors-and-conspiracy-theories-about-origin-coronavirus.
5 Is COVID-19 a Bio Weapon? https://covid19truth.com/.
6 Premier Li stresses scientific research to win battle against virus. http://english.scio.gov.cn/topnews/2020–02/10/content_75688856.htm.
7 PERSPECTIVE: Biosecurity Evolving as Cyber Threats Converge. March 26, 2018. https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/wmd/biosecurity-evolving-cyber-threats-converge/.
8 WHO Data Demonstrates Weaknesses in Biosecurity and Biosafety Systems Worldwide. https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/who-data-demonstrates-weaknesses-biosecurity-and-biosafety-systems-worldwide/.
9 Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) R&D. https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/novel-coronavirus/en/.
10 White House asks scientists to investigate origins of coronavirus. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-asks-scientists-investigate-origins-coronavirus/story?id=68807304.
11 CEPI launches new call for proposals to develop vaccines against novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV. https://cepi.net/news_cepi/cepi-launches-new-call-for-proposals-to-develop-vaccines-against-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/.
12 World leaders show support for China's fight against COVID-19. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020–02/14/c_138784509.htm.
13 Int'l community lauds Xi's emphasis on improving mechanism for major epidemic prevention, control. http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/ctenglish/2018/zdtj/202002/t20200217_800193235.html.
14 Press conference on strengthening science-based epidemic prevention and control, orderly resumption of work and production. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2020–02/13/content_75700721_2.htm.
15 习近平主持召开中央全面深化改革委员会第十二次会议强调完善重大疫情防控体制机制健全国家公共卫生应急管理体系李克强王沪宁韩正出席. http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/leaders/2020–02/14/c_1125575922.htm.
16 Global Health Security (GHS) Index. https://www.ghsindex.org/.
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1 Xi Focus: Xi chairs leadership meeting on COVID-19 control, economic development. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020–02/22/c_138806969.htm.
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1
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Xi Focus: Xi chairs leadership meeting on COVID-19 control, economic development. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020–02/22/c_138806969.htm.
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2 Coronavirus impact on Chinese economy to be limited: Official. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2020–02/03/content_75683028.htm.
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2
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Coronavirus impact on Chinese economy to be limited: Official. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2020–02/03/content_75683028.htm.
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3 Coronavirus latest updates: Hubei's leader sacked as deaths in China pass 1300. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/feb/13/coronavirus-latest-updates-deaths-in-china-pass-1300-with-jump-in-cases-live-news?page=with:block-5e452dbf8f08e1332474283e.
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3
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Coronavirus latest updates: Hubei's leader sacked as deaths in China pass 1300. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/feb/13/coronavirus-latest-updates-deaths-in-china-pass-1300-with-jump-in-cases-live-news?page=with:block-5e452dbf8f08e1332474283e.
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4 Scientists ‘strongly condemn’ rumors and conspiracy theories about origin of coronavirus outbreak. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/02/scientists-strongly-condemn-rumors-and-conspiracy-theories-about-origin-coronavirus.
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4
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Scientists ‘strongly condemn’ rumors and conspiracy theories about origin of coronavirus outbreak. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/02/scientists-strongly-condemn-rumors-and-conspiracy-theories-about-origin-coronavirus.
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5 Is COVID-19 a Bio Weapon? https://covid19truth.com/.
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Is COVID-19 a Bio Weapon? https://covid19truth.com/.
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6 Premier Li stresses scientific research to win battle against virus. http://english.scio.gov.cn/topnews/2020–02/10/content_75688856.htm.
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6
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Premier Li stresses scientific research to win battle against virus. http://english.scio.gov.cn/topnews/2020–02/10/content_75688856.htm.
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footnote
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7 PERSPECTIVE: Biosecurity Evolving as Cyber Threats Converge. March 26, 2018. https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/wmd/biosecurity-evolving-cyber-threats-converge/.
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7
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PERSPECTIVE: Biosecurity Evolving as Cyber Threats Converge. March 26, 2018. https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/wmd/biosecurity-evolving-cyber-threats-converge/.
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footnote
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8 WHO Data Demonstrates Weaknesses in Biosecurity and Biosafety Systems Worldwide. https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/who-data-demonstrates-weaknesses-biosecurity-and-biosafety-systems-worldwide/.
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8
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WHO Data Demonstrates Weaknesses in Biosecurity and Biosafety Systems Worldwide. https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/who-data-demonstrates-weaknesses-biosecurity-and-biosafety-systems-worldwide/.
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footnote
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9 Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) R&D. https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/novel-coronavirus/en/.
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9
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Coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) R&D. https://www.who.int/blueprint/priority-diseases/key-action/novel-coronavirus/en/.
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footnote
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10 White House asks scientists to investigate origins of coronavirus. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-asks-scientists-investigate-origins-coronavirus/story?id=68807304.
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10
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White House asks scientists to investigate origins of coronavirus. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-asks-scientists-investigate-origins-coronavirus/story?id=68807304.
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footnote
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11 CEPI launches new call for proposals to develop vaccines against novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV. https://cepi.net/news_cepi/cepi-launches-new-call-for-proposals-to-develop-vaccines-against-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/.
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11
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CEPI launches new call for proposals to develop vaccines against novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV. https://cepi.net/news_cepi/cepi-launches-new-call-for-proposals-to-develop-vaccines-against-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/.
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footnote
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12 World leaders show support for China's fight against COVID-19. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020–02/14/c_138784509.htm.
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label
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12
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World leaders show support for China's fight against COVID-19. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020–02/14/c_138784509.htm.
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footnote
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13 Int'l community lauds Xi's emphasis on improving mechanism for major epidemic prevention, control. http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/ctenglish/2018/zdtj/202002/t20200217_800193235.html.
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13
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Int'l community lauds Xi's emphasis on improving mechanism for major epidemic prevention, control. http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/ctenglish/2018/zdtj/202002/t20200217_800193235.html.
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footnote
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14 Press conference on strengthening science-based epidemic prevention and control, orderly resumption of work and production. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2020–02/13/content_75700721_2.htm.
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14
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Press conference on strengthening science-based epidemic prevention and control, orderly resumption of work and production. http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2020–02/13/content_75700721_2.htm.
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footnote
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15 习近平主持召开中央全面深化改革委员会第十二次会议强调完善重大疫情防控体制机制健全国家公共卫生应急管理体系李克强王沪宁韩正出席. http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/leaders/2020–02/14/c_1125575922.htm.
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15
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习近平主持召开中央全面深化改革委员会第十二次会议强调完善重大疫情防控体制机制健全国家公共卫生应急管理体系李克强王沪宁韩正出席. http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/leaders/2020–02/14/c_1125575922.htm.
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footnote
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16 Global Health Security (GHS) Index. https://www.ghsindex.org/.
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16
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Global Health Security (GHS) Index. https://www.ghsindex.org/.
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