BEIJING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Providing timely help to those in need is a tradition that has been passed down in China through generations.

The spirit is well manifested in the Chinese idiom "Xue Zhong Song Tan," which literally means, "to send charcoal in snowy weather."

The story behind the idiom dates back to an ancient emperor. One freezing winter day, the emperor was resting in the palace, feeling shivery and cold, despite burning charcoal while enjoying delicious food and wine. Looking at the snow outside, he suddenly thought of the poor people suffering cold and hunger.

The emperor then ordered officials to send food and charcoal to the old and poor in the capital to keep them warm. The move created quite a stir at the time and later people used the idiom to describe giving others help when they are in need.

As time went on, the connotation of the idiom has become a social norm in China, and people are encouraged to lend others a helping hand in everyday life.

The idiom also echoed China's vision of "building a community with a shared future for mankind."

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, China has provided over 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines for more than 120 countries and international organizations and contributed to the fair distribution and use of vaccines worldwide.

The much-needed vaccines have helped some countries, especially developing countries, push forward their vaccination drives.

By actively cooperating with other countries in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China is putting into practice its concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, British scholar and political commentator Martin Jacques said in an interview with Xinhua.