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Saturday, February 08, 2020, 01:52
Xie: We're confident in fighting virus
By He Shusi and Zhao Ruinan
Saturday, February 08, 2020, 01:52 By He Shusi and Zhao Ruinan

Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, calls for concerted efforts from the international community to end the epidemic. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

The central government’s top diplomat in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said on Friday China is confident in winning the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, and urged the international community to unite in ending the epidemic. 

At a meeting with representatives of the media, as well as representatives of foreign diplomatic missions and organizations, Xie Feng, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, said he hoped foreign institutions in Hong Kong could assess the epidemic rationally and calmly, maintain normal exchanges with China, and avoid overreaction.

The central government and the SAR government will continue to ensure the supply of necessities in Hong Kong

Xie Feng,

commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR

China has allocated more than 66 billion yuan (HK$73.2 billion) to contain the outbreak, while more than 20 tons of medical supplies are being delivered across the country each hour. 

The nation, he said, is sincere in engaging the international community by providing timely and transparent information to the world, including the World Health Organization.

He called on everyone to view China’s reaction fairly and objectively, and not to be misled by rumors. 

“This is a time for the international community to act as a whole,” Xie stressed. “We hope countries will respect the professional and authoritative advice of the WHO, maintain normal economic cooperation, trade and people-to-people exchanges with China, and stop overreaction and fearmongering.”

While thanking friendly countries, groups and individuals for their support in China’s prevention and control efforts, Xie condemned discrimination against Chinese and other Asians by treating them as “virus spreaders”, and urged relevant governments to take effective steps to protect the safety and rights of Chinese people. 

Noting that the SAR was not spared from the virus, Xie stressed that the central authorities will maintain their close communication with the HKSAR government, and support and facilitate its science-based efforts to control the outbreak. 

“The Commissioner’s Office will continue to work closely with foreign institutions in the SAR, and do its best to address reasonable concerns,” he added, hoping they would remain rational and calm, and avoid overreaction, such as evacuating citizens or diplomats. 

Replying to a query from the Myanmar consulate in Hong Kong on the city’s panic hoarding of daily necessities, especially toilet paper and rice, Xie said supplies from the mainland will not be affected by the epidemic. 

“The central government and the SAR government will continue to ensure the supply of necessities in Hong Kong,” he said, condemning those spreading rumors about the suspension of factories on the mainland, and urging Hong Kong residents not to be misled. 

The meeting was attended by more than 80 representatives from the media, foreign consulates, business associations and intergovernmental organizations from 32 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

heshusi@chinadailyhk.com


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