During this year's COVID-19 pandemic, China has been sending facilities to more than 100 countries in the world and dispatching teams of medical experts to dozens while struggling to contain spread within its border.

The United States, however, has reportedly solicited medical equipment for itself by intercepting others' orders, failed to pay its due share for WHO and even withdrew at a time when WHO was in critical need, which effectively dodges US duty for the world and escapes potential international investigations into biological labs at US military bases and into its handling of the pandemic.

As the economies pick up across continents, China is expected to eliminate absolute poverty at current rating and continue its Belt and Road Initiative for the benefit of other countries, which prioritizes development for humanity.

BRI itself is reliving centuries-old flourishing links between continents along the ancient Silk Road connecting Asia, Europe and Africa through land and sea.

The post-pandemic world engaged in BRI will continue to flourish with China's push. The world's largest developing country is seeking common development and collective prosperity of the wider community of the global village. The Silk Road Spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit is set to become a great heritage of human civilization.

History is our best teacher. The glory of the ancient silk routes shows that geographical distance is not insurmountable. If we take the first courageous step toward each other, we can embark on a path leading to friendship, shared development, peace, harmony and a better future.

The roads ahead will have more challenges. But never have we seen such close interdependence among countries as today, found such fervent desire of people for a better life, and had so many means to prevail over difficulties. Yet all of these require nations to come together for continued peace and development, instead of using and disregarding UN with an opportunistic attitude or severing ties with nations and with international institutions at will.

In this increasingly multi-polar, economically globalized, digitized and culturally diversified world, the trend toward peace and development will have to become stronger as reform and innovation gain momentum.

The author is secretary-general of the Pakistan-China Friendship Association Khyber Chapter and a senior media consultant. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.