Chinese President calls for 'international coordination' after help from Bill Gates

Chinese President Xi Jinping has written a letter to Bill Gates thanking him for 'generosity' of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and ir support for tackling outbreak of coronavirus. According to media reports, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed up to $100 million for global response to virus that broke out in China in December last year. As per media reports, Xi Jinping in his letter appreciated generosity shown by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and called for enhanced international coordination and concerted efforts against outbreak. 

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According to reports, money committed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be used to strengn detection, treatment efforts, protecting at-risk populations and developing vaccines. Media reports stated that foundation would direct $20 million to organisations like WHO, National Health Commission of China, US Center for Disease Control and Protection and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

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In a letter that was shared by Chinese government on ir official website, President Xi Jinping wrote, "As I often say, mankind is a community with a shared future. To prevail over a disease that threatens all, unity and cooperation is most powerful weapon. Foundation has been quick in joining global action and has played an active role in global response against outbreak. I support your cooperation with relevant Chinese institutions, and look forward to enhanced coordination and concerted efforts in international community for sake of health and well-being of all."

Coronavirus outbreak

China is battling contagious virus as millions remain under lockdown in central Hubei province, epicentre of disease. According to media reports, new coronavirus has claimed over 2,400 lives in China alone and has infected more than 79,000 people. United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) h earlier said that virus has alrey spre to 27 countries, including as far as western Europe. As per reports, coronavirus originated from a seafood market in China's Wuhan city, where animals were being tred illegally.

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coronavirus has claimed more lives than its predecessor Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). According to reports, SARS, which broke out in China in 2002-2003 h claimed more than 774 lives, which is way below current death toll from COVID-19. According to reports, China on February 13 reported highest number of deaths caused by virus in a single day as 254 people died in Hubei province. 

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