The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. CHEN Xiaodong had a group interview with the Ambassadors of African countries in China on April 13, 2020

The Assistant Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. CHEN Xiaodong met collectively with part of the Ambassadors of African countries in China and exchanged with them on the situation of African nationals living in Guangdong province after the implementation of measures to prevent and control the epidemic by the provincial authorities in Guangdong. The meeting recorded the participation of some twenty African countries by the presence of their Ambassadors or their representatives.
 

According to CHEN Xiaodong, the Chinese people have always considered the African peoples as partners and brothers who have shared luck and unhappiness in solidarity. Sino-African friendship is unwavering because it is deeply rooted in China and Africa. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, China and Africa have once again shown solidarity in overcoming the difficulties together. Today, the pandemic is developing in Africa. China shares the same concerns of African countries. 

While overcoming the difficulties in our country, China has urgently provided African countries with materials to fight the epidemic. Local authorities and Chinese companies have also provided assistance to African countries in various forms. Faced with the ordeal of the pandemic, China and Africa more than ever need to strengthen their union and further preserve their relations of cooperation and friendship. China will continue to help its African brothers as much as possible, and will work hand in hand with its African brothers in the fight against the pandemic until achieving the final victory.

Mr. CHEN Xiaodong stressed that to fight the epidemic, China, by taking the most comprehensive, strict and radical control and prevention measures, has made remarkable progress, but it has sacrificed sacrifices huge for that. Faced with the continuing spread of the pandemic on a global scale, China is facing increasing pressure linked to the high risks of imported cases. 

Guangdong Province faces serious challenges related to these risks, especially as it is a hotbed of China’s openness. It is only by tightening the mesh of the prevention and control of the epidemic, by remedying all the flaws that could lead to a resurgence of the epidemic, that we can preserve the hard-won results. This is a gesture of responsibility towards the Chinese, but also towards all people of foreign nationalities, including African, residing in Guangdong.

CHEN Xiaodong stressed that China attached great importance to the situation of African nationals revealed by the Ambassadors of certain African countries after the application of measures to control and prevent the epidemic in the capital city of Guangzhou from Guangdong. "The authorities of Guangdong are working to improve their working method, apply the various health management measures without differentiation, begin today a gradual lifting of health control over Africans who are not infected cases or their close contacts (including suspected cases), and has established effective communication mechanisms with the Consulates General of African countries in Guangzhou. The Chinese government treats all people of foreign nationality living in China equally. This constitutes a constant policy and position for China. 

African friends can get fair, just and friendly treatment in China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will remain in close communication with the Guangdong authorities and will continue to respond to the reasonable concerns and legitimate aspirations of the African side. At the same time, we hope that the Ambassadors of African countries will be able to understand the exact meaning of the policies and measures taken by the Chinese authorities, to clarify the facts objectively and in their entirety to their country and to invite their country and population to watch this case of rationally. We also hope that the governments of African countries will take the necessary measures to guarantee the security and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese people and organizations in their countries, "he said.

The dean of the African diplomatic corps in China thanked the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for having organized this meeting and for carrying out frank and in-depth exchanges with the heads of African diplomatic missions in China on the situation of Africans after the application of the measures to control and prevent the epidemic in Guangdong province. He said that this reflected the Chinese side’s attention and sincerity and would send a positive signal in favor of friendly negotiations. 

African Ambassadors said the friendship between Africa and China was deep and tested. "Since the start of the epidemic, African leaders and peoples have been the first to support the Chinese side. The African Ambassadors wanted to stay in China to stand firmly alongside the Chinese people. The Chinese side took careful care of the African students in Wuhan, guaranteed their normal life and their health. The African side is deeply grateful, ”they said.

African diplomatic heads of mission said that by strenuous efforts, the Chinese government and people have achieved important victories in the fight against the epidemic, set an example to the rest of the world, experiences and confidence to African countries. They expressed their sincere thanks to the Chinese side for providing support and assistance to Africa despite its own difficulties. They also raised concerns about nucleic acid testing, accommodation, visas, treatment of students and other practical issues in the context of epidemic prevention and control in Guangdong Province. 

They also appreciated the communication made by the Chinese side on the measures that are and will be taken by the authorities of Guangdong, including the establishment of an effective mechanism for dialogue with the African Consulates General in Guangzhou. 

They promised to report it immediately, faithfully and in full to the government of their country, and to inform their nationals in Guangdong. They expressed the wish to see that these measures could be applied in a timely and effective manner. 

The African side also said it was ready to cooperate with the Chinese side in raising awareness and monitoring compliance with Chinese laws and regulations on the prevention and control of the epidemic.

The African Ambassadors noted that their missions and responsibilities were to promote cooperation and friendship between Africa and China, and that they were committed to playing the role of bridge between the two sides. 

They stressed that Africa and China were good partners and good brothers, that the problems observed in Guangdong were matters between the African and Chinese brothers, which could be resolved by friendly consultations. "Any outside force, motivated by any design and by any means, cannot prevent the development of friendly relations between Africa and China," they said.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor