The fight against the current COVID-19 pandemic calls for greater international engagement and solidarity.

The French Académie Nationale de Médecine (NAM), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) have had friendly and sustained cooperation and scientific exchanges for many years, particularly in the alternating joint meetings held in Les Pensières Center for Global Health, Annecy, France and in China.

From the start, the three sides were given the mission of advising governments on public health issues and risks, particularly those related to infectious diseases and epidemics.

During a videoconference on April 21, 2020, we shared our experiences on health and scientific issues concerning the spread of COVID-19 in France and China. These experiences dealt with four topics: public health and response, treatments in intensive care units, the general care of non-hospitalized patients, immunotherapy and cytokines storms.

The discussions also included the lockdown and isolation system, the wearing of masks, virus testing, serum immune response testing, urgent treatment, intensive care and vaccine research.

We recommend close consultation between health authorities and well-known scientific institutes such as the French NAM, the CAE and the CAMS. We also recommend strengthening the development of public health systems in each country and stronger international coordination and cooperation in fighting COVID-19.