Most recently, in the COVID-19 fight, China has put people's lives and health before anything else. "'The people' we say here has a very broad meaning. It includes everyone, especially the vulnerable like senior citizens, children and the poor," said Tao Wenzhao, deputy dean of the School of Marxism Studies at Renmin University of China.

Tao also compared the people-first concept to Western notions of "freedom".

"It seems some countries give consideration to people's 'freedom', and treat everyone as equals when it comes to anti-virus polices," Tao said. "But in fact, the rich people have much more options while the poor, though enjoying 'freedom' as it seems, fall into a helpless situation since they have neither money nor power."

As part of its efforts to treat all fairly and equitably, China provides COVID-19 patients with free treatment. All COVID-19 patients, confirmed or suspected, receive subsidies from state finance for any medical bills not covered by basic medical insurance, serious disease insurance or the medical assistance fund. Additionally, China gives COVID-19 vaccines to all citizens free of charge.