'China grateful, deeply touched by Pakistan’s support during coronavirus epidemic'

After the epidemic, Hua Chunying gives online briefing to journalist fraternity for the first time

BEIJING: As the country grapples against novel coronavirus epidemic, the Chinese government has expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to Pakistan for extending a firm support during the prevalent global health crisis.

“As China fights the outbreak, Pakistan has stood firmly by us, maintaining flights and pooling medical supplies all over the country to help China. We are deeply grateful and touched by such trust and confidence,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said during the first ‘Online’ briefing held in Beijing — where she went online and used WeChat to answer questions from journalists — on Monday.

The briefing was resumed after the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival holidays.

Remarking about the iron-clad friendship that both countries share since decades, Chunying said that Beijing will continue to work in close communication and coordination with Islamabad to safeguard the health of Pakistanis stranded in China.

Referring to the statements of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi regarding China’s fight against novel coronavirus, she said that the Pakistani prime minister and foreign minister highly commend and firmly support China’s efforts to fight against the new coronavirus.

“They also appreciate China’s assistance for Pakistani citizens in China and express confidence in China winning this battle with the strength of its system. The Pakistani people are standing firmly by their Chinese brethren.”

Speaking about the medical supplies and aid from Pakistan and other countries, the Chinese official shed light on the contributions received around the world during the novel pneumonia outbreak.

“As of noon February 2, epidemic prevention and control supplies donated by Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Japan, the UK, France, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Iran, Belarus, Indonesia and the Unicef had arrived in China,” Chunying said, adding, "Friends from all walks of life in many countries have also offered us support."

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‘A friend in need is a friend indeed. I’d like to thank them all,’ she maintained.

At present, the spokesperson said, the virus-affected country is in dire need of medical masks, protective suits and safety goggles.”

Informing that the US government had not provided any substantial assistance to China until now, Chunying said that Washington was the first to evacuate personnel from its consulate in Wuhan, the first to suggest partial withdrawal of its embassy staff, and the first to impose a travel ban on Chinese travellers. "All of this has only escalated fear around the world."

About the number of confirmed cases, she said that till Sunday afternoon, 17,205 cases of nCoV pneumonia were confirmed, 361 died and 475 were cured and discharged.

Pertaining to a question about the condition of foreigners in Wuhan, the Chinese official informed that attaching high importance to the well-being of foreign nationals in Wuhan, Hubei, China had taken effective measures to address their concerns and needs in a timely manner.

Hoping that the international community will view the epidemic in a rational way while making a science-based measured response, the spokesperson said that China would enhance cooperation with the World Health Organisation and the international community.

“We have confidence and capability in winning this battle as soon as possible.”