A timeline of how China has released timely information, shared experience, and advanced international exchange and cooperation since the onset of the pandemic.

 

The megacity of Wuhan, where China fought a crucial battle against the COVID-19 epidemic, has recently marked its first anniversary since it ended the 76-day lockdown.

 

China's successful handling of the pathogen within the city and beyond has inspired other affected regions worldwide to speed up a recovery, yet some U.S. politicians have clung on to a smear campaign against China's transparency and timeliness in sharing information at early stages of the outbreak.

 

Here is a timeline of how China has released timely information, shared experience, and advanced international exchange and cooperation since the onset of the pandemic:

 

Dec. 27, 2019

 

-- Hubei Provincial Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine reported cases of pneumonia of unknown cause. The Wuhan municipal government conducted epidemiological investigation and testing on the patients concerned.

 

Dec. 30, 2019

 

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission sent out an urgent notification to medical institutions under its jurisdiction about an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause in the city. Upon the report of the outbreak, the National Health Commission (NHC) acted immediately to organize research into the disease.

 

Dec. 31, 2019

 

-- In the small hours, the NHC dispatched a working group and an expert team to Wuhan to guide epidemic response and conduct on-site investigations.

 

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission released its first briefing about the pneumonia outbreak on its website, confirming 27 cases and telling the public not to go to enclosed public places or gather. It advised people to wear face masks when going out.

 

-- The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission began to release briefings about the disease in accordance with the law.