Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Statement Regarding Guangdong's Anti-Epidemic Measures Concerning Nationals of African Countries in China 2020/04/13

Faced with COVID-19, a brutal global public health crisis, all countries are taking control measures to prevent the spread of the epidemic. China has made remarkable progress so far with its most comprehensive, rigorous and in-depth measures, but the country still faces great risks from imported cases and a possible rebound in local cases. In particular, as the pandemic spreads around the world, imported cases are putting increasing pressure.

China and Africa are good friends, partners and brothers. Sino-African friendship has been forged on the basis of joint efforts in the search for national independence, national liberation, economic development and the improvement of the well-being of the people in recent decades. 

This proven friendship is a treasure for the Chinese and the Africans. After the Ebola epidemic broke out in three West African countries in 2014, the Chinese government very quickly provided assistance and fought alongside African countries and people. Since the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, China and Africa have once again overcome the difficulties in a spirit of solidarity, and Sino-African friendship has once again been raised to a higher level. 

At the critical moment of the Chinese people's struggle against the epidemic, African countries and peoples expressed their solidarity with us and gave us their energetic support. We will not forget that. While overcoming the difficulties in our country, we also show concern and provide guarantees to all African nationals in China, in particular to African students. As the epidemic situation worsens in Africa, the Chinese government and people have urgently delivered batches of supplies to the mainland. 

Our help, conveying a deep friendship to our African brothers and sisters, testifies to the beautiful tradition of mutual assistance and mutual support between China and Africa, and has been highly appreciated by African countries and the African Union. While the task of fighting the virus remains difficult in the country, China has donated significant quantities of test kits, masks, protective suits, protective glasses, face shields, forehead thermometers, gloves for medical use, shoe covers, respirators and other supplies to the African Union and African countries. Humanity shines through the darkness of the epidemic. We will continue to help our African brothers as much as possible.

In its fight against the coronavirus, the Chinese government attaches great importance to the life and health of foreign nationals in China. All foreigners are treated on an equal footing. We oppose differential treatment and we apply zero tolerance in the face of discrimination. 

Since the start of the epidemic, the authorities in Guangdong have attached great importance to the treatment of foreign patients, including African nationals. Specific plans have been developed and appropriate arrangements have been made to protect their lives and health as much as possible. We have thus been able to save the lives of some African patients in serious condition.

The authorities in Guangdong attach great importance to the concerns of certain African countries and are rapidly working to improve their working method. The measures include: providing health management services without differentiation, designating hotels for the accommodation of foreigners requiring medical observation, and adopting a price adjustment for those in financial difficulty; establish an effective communication mechanism with foreign consulates general in Guangzhou; and reject all racist and discriminatory remarks. 

The Chinese people have always viewed the African people as partners and tested brothers. Sino-African friendship is unwavering because it is deeply rooted in China. African friends can get fair, just, cordial and friendly treatment in China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will remain in close communication with the authorities in Guangdong and will continue to respond to the reasonable concerns and legitimate aspirations of the African side.

The virus knows no borders and is a common challenge for all of humanity. It is only by combining its efforts that the international community can defeat it. We are ready to work with African friends, understanding and supporting each other and strengthening cooperation, to achieve final victory in this battle against the virus.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor