As COVID-19 began to spread on January 20th, 2020, we became keenly aware of how severe it was and have established contact with the international medical community by leveraging international networks and platforms, promoting communication and cooperation between domestic and international scientists. With such efforts, Chinese people’s old friend Professor Walter Ian LIPKIN, also known as the “Virus Hunter”, was invited to China for the joint effort to provide suggestions on the responses to COVID-19.
Professor LIPKIN is the first in the world to use molecular methods to diagnose pathogenic bacteria and hailed as “Tthe World’s Most Celebrated Virus Hunter” by Discover Megazine. He has been working at the frontline of the world’s combats against epidemics, including the WNV (1999), SARS (2003), MERS (2012-2016), Zika (2016) and encephalitis (2017). He was awarded the “Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences” “Mendel Medal” and the China International Science and Technology Cooperation Award for his commitments. This is the second time that Professor LIPKIN has come to China’s aid since 2003 when he was among the first international experts to assist China in the battle against SARS. This time, he has joined China’s scientists and medical workers to help China win a victory against COVID-19. This extraordinary “Journey” has pooled the strength of all parties and added to the resolve and confidence for the Chinese people to win the war against COVID-19.
From January 29th to February 4th, under RDI’s coordination, Jiahai LU, Member of Advisory Committee of RDI, President of Guangdong Laboratories Federation, and Professor of Sun Yat-sen University, assisted Professor LIPKIN in an in-depth exchange of responses to the epidemic with Academician Nanshan ZHONG in Guangzhou. Professor LIPKIN was received in Beijing by Zhu CHEN, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, and Guanhua XU, former Minister of Science and Technology, and had in-depth talks with Professor Guang ZENG and other experts on the development of the epidemic. Furthermore, he was interviewed by a number of media, including People’s Daily and Global People.
Professor Walter Ian LIPKIN and Academician Nanshan ZHONG discussing work on
epidemic prevention and control
At 6:00 a.m. on January 30th, 2020, Nanshan ZHONG, Head of the High-level Expert Group of the National Health Commission (NHC) and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, met with Professor LIPKIN and they reached an important consensus on fighting against COVID-19. After having a thorough discussion from professional perspectives, they suggested that we conduct crossborder cooperation and researches through combining studies in virology, epidemiology, clinical medicine, data and other fields. We should also strengthen collaboration among scientists, make comprehensive evaluation and conclusion on the basis of data, improve diagnosis and treatment level, and make breakthroughs as quickly.
On January 30th, 2020, the Seminar on Key Technologies for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Responses to COVID-19 initiated by Professor Jiahai LU and Professor LIPKIN and organized by the School of Public Health of Sun Yat-sen University was successfully held in Guangzhou. Dozens of experts from clinical, public health, basic medicine, microbiology and other fields had discussions on the COVID-19 epidemic and launched an initiative which proposes the establishment of a platform for the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases in response to the new and frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases under the lead of Sun Yat-sen University, with joint efforts from colleges and universities, hospitals, disease control and biotech companies in south China.
A group photo of Professor LIPKIN, Academician Nanshan ZHONG and Professor Jiahai LU after the meeting.
The Seminar on Key Technologies for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases
and Responses to COVID-19
Professor LIPKIN meeting with Professor Guang ZENG, Member of the High-level Expert Group of NHC
On the afternoon of February 2nd, 2020, Professor LIPKIN met with Professor Guang ZENG, Member of the High-level Expert Group of NHC and Chief Scientist of Epidemiology of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and Member of Advisory Committee of RDI. They discussed how digital models can be employed to upgrade the prediction accuracy of COVID-19 outbreaks, factors affecting epidemic control, vaccine R&D, antiviral drug R&D and epidemiology control. They also exchanged views on the international understanding of the COVID-19 epidemic, in particular how the U.S. medical community viewed related issues of Covid-19. During the discussion, Professor LIPKIN raised Chinese Government need to more accuratly definite the virus latency as he fully acknowledged relative measures taken.
On the morning of February 3rd, at the invitation of China CDC, Professor LIPKIN had a panel discussion with Fu GAO, Director-General of China CDC, Zijian FENG, Deputy Director-General of China CDC, Wenbo XU, Director-General of National Institute for Viral Disease Prevention and Control, China CDC and Wenjie TAN, Director-General of the Viral Disease Emergency Technology Center of China CDC. The two sides exchanged views on the problems existing in the diagnostic approaches for COVID-19, relevant technology application of the LIPKIN Research Center and the current epidemiological situation. They studied and evaluated the development of COVID-19 and discussed the strategies for its prevention and control.
Professor LIPKIN having discussions with experts from China CDC
Professor LIPKIN meeting with Academician Guanhua XU and Professor Jiahai LU
On the afternoon of February 3rd, Professor LIPKIN was received by Professor Guanhua XU, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and former Minister of Science and Technology. The two sides held in-depth discussions on how to better coordinate the current epidemic prevention and control efforts. Professor LIPKIN thanked Academician Guanhua XU for his great trust and support and said that he looked forward to contributing to the battle against COVID-19 as he had previously served as a consultant to the International Expert Committee in China’s fight against SARS. They reviewed the fight against SARS and discussed about the COVID-19 epidemic.
On the evening of February 3rd, entrusted by leaders of the Central Committee of the CPC, Bin LI, Deputy Director of the National Health Commission (NHC), met with Professor LIPKIN, Professor Jiahai LU and other delegation members. Bin LI thanked Professor LIPKIN for his great contribution to China’s fight against SARS and introduced in detail the current situation of COVID-19, the joint prevention and control mechanism, and a series of community-based prevention and control actions and plans. Professor LIPKIN expressed his gratitude to the Chinese Government for its trust and hoped that he could serve as a bridge for enhancing international scientific and technological cooperation, making positive contributions to the global immune system for infectious diseases.
Baige ZHAO and Professor LIPKIN having teleconversation
On February 4th, Professor LIPKIN concluded his visit to China, achieving initial results in the China-U.S. anti-epidemic cooperation. Wenqing XU, Secretary-General of RDI and Professor Jiahai LU bid farewell to Professor LIPKIN in Beijing. Baige ZHAO, Chair of Advisory Committee of RDI, had a cordial talk with Professor LIPKIN and said goodbye through the telephone. Baige ZHAO spoke highly of Professor LIPKIN for his kindheartedness and great contribution to China’s fight against the epidemic. Professor LIPKIN’s vital suggestions on China’s COVID-19 containment have been submitted to the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council through the BRI International Think Tank of CASS and RDI. His suggestions have received high attention and instructions from senior leaders, contributing wisdom and strength to the battle against the epidemic. Professor LIPKIN was also highly appreciated by Chinese scientists and he thanked the think tank for its assistance during his visit to China, expressing his willingness to take the lead in facilitating all-round and in-depth cooperation between U.S. or even global scientists and Chinese scientists in COVID-19 diagnosis, vaccines, medicines and control measures.
CCTV having an exclusive interview with Professor LIPKIN
Professor LIPKIN’s investigation trip to China has attracted wide attention from the Chinese people, and many netizens have expressed their gratitude to him. After returning to the U.S., Professor LIPKIN took an exclusive interview by a CCTV reporter, saying that China’s all-out efforts to tame the epidemic are impressive.
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