Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), co-chairs the third video conference between the NPC and the China-Bridge Association in Germany with Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, former vice-president of the German Bundestag and founder of the association on Jan 13, 2021. [Photo/npc.gov.cn]

The international community should extend assistance to each other, tackle risks and challenges together and build a better home on the Earth, said Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

He made the remarks while co-chairing the third video conference between the NPC and the China-Bridge Association in Germany with Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, former vice-president of the German Bundestag and founder of the association on Jan 13.

Wang said China attaches great importance to dealing with natural disasters and public health emergencies, and has continuously strengthened the rule of law and institutional mechanisms in this sector, making miracles in the tenacious struggle against natural disasters and the COVID-19 epidemic.

China adheres to an attitude of openness and cooperation, participates in international cooperation in response to natural disasters and epidemic prevention and control, opposes the politicization of the epidemic, and works together with others in major disasters, making important contributions to the development and progress of the world, he added.

Wang said China is willing to have in-depth exchanges, work together in unity with Germany in dealing with natural disasters and carrying out epidemic prevention and control, in order to deliver real benefits to our two peoples.

Friedrich said Germany and China are facing common challenges in many fields such as coping with natural disasters, environmental protection, and epidemic prevention and control, and the association is willing to make efforts to promote exchanges between the two sides.

At the meeting, responsible persons from the NPC's Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee, the Social Development Affairs Committee, and the Legislative Affairs Commission, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Emergency Management, Peking Union Medical College and other relevant units exchange views with the German Bundestag and the European Parliament members on topics such as legal protection, organizational structure and management models, and high-tech applications that can be used to respond to natural disasters, public health emergencies and other crises.