The meeting convened by China on Tuesday to commend role models in the country's COVID-19 fight not only marked a milestone in the country's virus containment efforts but also sent a message of resolve to strengthen global solidarity until the ravaging virus is vanquished.

In the face of the severe public health crisis, the Chinese people have united as one and stood together under the leadership which demonstrated strong political courage and shouldered the extremely difficult mission of fighting the COVID-19 epidemic. National unity has been crucial in securing major strategic achievements and making China the first major economy to return to growth since the outbreak.