12 Mar 2020

Ambassador of China to Botswana Dr Zhao Yanbo, says his country as the first line of defense to the coronavirus pandemic is not only wining the fight but also making greater contributions to the world.

In a media statement, Dr Zhao said the virus was a major challenge to public health security around the world, adding that to prevent and control the virus, China launched an all-out war, thereby carrying out the most rigorous measures against it.  

“With our arduous efforts and strong international support, the situation in China is steadily improving with work and life for everyone rapidly returning to normal,” he said.

He said the virus could not impede China’s efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, noting that the pandemic had reminded the world that ‘we are in a community with a shared future’.

In the fight against the epidemic, Dr Zhao said many countries had rendered China valuable support in various ways.

He said Chinese government had decided to contribute US$20 million to WHO’s international cooperation against COVID-19, provided testing reagents, medical masks, dispatched medical experts to Pakistan, Iran, Japan, Korea as well as African Union and shared diagnostic and therapeutic solutions with more than 100 countries.

With the pandemic breaking out in multiple places around the world, Dr Zhao said it was even more crucial to further strengthen international collaboration against it.
Dr Zhao said China and Africa had always been good partners.

He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, many African countries gave China valuable support and helped at the earliest time possible despite their limited resources.

He cited President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi whom he said wrote two letters to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Lemogang Kwape who also wrote a letter to China’s National Health Commission director, Ma Xiaowei and Executive Secretary of SADC Dr Stergomena Tax who sent a message to the Chinese leadership, all showing their sympathy and support.

As African countries are now facing high risks of imported cases and some of them having confirmed cases, Dr Zhao said China was ready to support African countries defeat the virus.

Dr Zhao further said coronavirus could not shake China’s role as the top engine of global economic growth, saying with its rapid and steady economic development, China contributed about one-third of global growth. ENDS