Zhang Wenhong, a leading expert in China's efforts to contain the coronavirus outbreak, appealed for more support on public health and stressed the need to "counter vulnerabilities" at the Taihu Talent Summit in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Aug 5.

Zhang, also head of the Center for Infectious Disease at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, attended the event as the leader of the infectious disease department of Wuxi No 5 People's Hospital. His team was listed in this year's Taihu Talent Project and received a check for 10 million yuan ($1.44 million).

"As you see, Wuxi makes good on its promises, and this money is cherished by those of us who normally rely on registration fees to make a living," Zhang said in a speech to express his gratitude to the Wuxi government for its generous prize money.

"My young team will be very happy and surely benefit from the government's support for public health," he added.

As an expert on epidemic prevention and control, Zhang said the biggest lesson learnt from the COVID-19 outbreak is the necessity to combat vulnerabilities. He defined "counter vulnerability" as preparing for disasters beforehand so as to ensure continued development.

Zhang said that only when such capabilities are improved by individuals in the healthcare industry can the overall profession be improved.

Regarding the global pandemic, Zhang said that the most essential tasks are mass testing and adequate quarantine.

"If these two tasks cannot be achieved, there will definitely be a rebound after work resumes," he said. However, Zhang said he still has great confidence in the ultimate control of the pandemic: "In the history of mankind, no epidemic has truly devastated the human race, and this one is no exception."