China-Africa friendship to gain new strengths amid joint battle against COVID-19- Jianchun
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Chinese ambassador to The Gambia, Ma Jianchun, said here Tuesday China-Africa friendship would gain new strengths amid their joint battle against COVID-19.
He made the remarks at the handing over ceremony of medical supplies from the Chinese government at the Banjul International Airport.
He said it was worth noting that same batches had been equally offered to other 17 countries in central and west Africa as well, adding that Chinese the government believed that these provisions were yet another symbol of the much cherished friendship between peoples of China, The Gambia and Africa at large.
“Some Gambian friends recently sent congratulations to me and my colleagues at the Embassy on China’s massive progress in battling against COVID-19. I thanked them for such kind words as from family members, and would usually take the opportunity to brief the latest developments. After more than two months of strenuous efforts, China emerged as one of the first countries to stem the outbreak,” he said.
He added: “New cases in China have been sporadic for a month now. Travel restrictions in Hubei and Wuhan, epicenter of the pandemic, have been lifted and entering a reset mode. And domestic transmission has been largely stamped out.
According to him, while battling the outbreak, China has managed to restore its economy and society step by step to a normal order.
He also said the early economic reopening of “the world’s factory” had significantly eased the strained global medical supplies. It will also help bring the world economy back to normal at an early date.
“As COVID-19 continues to rage through the world and the combat against the coronavirus is at a critical stage, this undoubtedly brings a glimpse of hope for the global battle.
“These important periodic results could only be achieved under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government, and with tremendous sacrifice by 1.4 billion Chinese people united together,” he said.
However, he said Gambians should be fully aware that they are far from winning the battle, revealing that China was under rising pressure of guarding against imported cases and preventing a resurgence of the outbreak at home.
He pointed out that new difficulties and challenges had emerged for China's work resumption and economic and social development and there was no way China would lower its guard or relax controls.
Jianchun said China and Africa were sincere and mutually-reliable friends, partners and brothers.
“We have long been supporting and helping each other especially at trying times in history. Memories on jointly fighting against Ebola in 2014 are still fresh for many Africans and Chinese.
“At that time, Chinese personnel were the first to offer help against all odds. When many countries were evacuating their staff, Chinese diplomats and medical experts chose to stay,” he said.
He said President Xi Jinping announced that China would offer four rounds of aid to countries in the outbreak epicenter and would also actively support international organizations such as the UN and WHO to fight against the outbreak.
-0- PANA MSS/RA 21Apr2020
