On February 6, Consul General Zha Liyou gave interview to NDTV on pneumonia epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus.
Regarding the key steps which Chinese government is taking to control the situation, Consul General Zha Liyou introduced since the outbreak of the epidemic, President Xi Jinping has attached great importance and given several important instructions. The CPC Central Committee has set up a leading group for comprehensive prevention and control of the epidemic. The Chinese Government and people are making every effort to combat the epidemic. The central and local government have built an all-round and multi-level prevention and control system focusing on Wuhan city and Hubei province. We are advancing the battle in an open, transparent, scientific and orderly manner.
We are now strengthening case treatment to reduce severe and fatal cases. We set up a national expert group on scientific research to speed up the development of vaccines. We accelerate the approval and clinical use of drugs proven to be effective against the virus. It takes less than 10 days to build the first specialized hospital named Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. The construction of another specialized hospital named Leishenshan Hospital is going to be completed soon.
The State Council of China has established a unified national dispatch system for epidemic prevention and control materials to timely coordinate the dispatch of medical personnel, medical supplies and daily necessities. China's system enables us to mobilize all the resources for big undertakings. With the concerted efforts of the international community, we are able to defeat the virus, the common devil of mankind, and win the final victory against the epidemic.
Regarding the situation after outbreak of Corona virus in China, Consul General Zha Liyou mentioned Indian friends can follow the recent updates of Xin Hua News in real time. As of 5 Feb, 28018 confirmed cases (563 fatalities, 1153 cured, 3859 severe cases), 24702 suspected cases were reported by China. 282813 people are traced, 186354 people are under observation. On 1 Feb, number of cured cases overtaken that of fatalities, now it's thrice larger, which proves the epidemic is generally preventable, controllable and curable. We have full confidence and capability to win the battle against the epidemic.
Regarding Indian students in China, Consul General Zha Liyou introduced there are 29 and 56 Indian students now in Kunming Medical University and Dali University in Yunnan Province respectively. Chinese universities have taken comprehensive measures to guarantee the security of Indian students like releasing updates of the epidemic, handing out facial masks and thermometer, monitor body temperatures of students and strictly control outside people from entering campus. That's what we say the disease is ruthless, but the human beings are compassionate.
Regarding Indian visa and flights, Consul General Zha Liyou pointed out according to the newest regulation of Indian government, Indian visas held by Chinese nationals including e-visa are not valid. Many Chinese people with work permit from Chinese companies in Kolkata are not allowed to come back to work. Besides, for Chinese nationals traveling in India at the moment, if they want to come back to China, they are required to provide health certificate, which increases the difficulty of journey back home. Many Indian companies like Air India and Indigo have suspended flights between China and India. WHO Director-General Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that the WHO disfavors or even opposes imposing travel or trade restrictions on China.We hope that the Indian citizens would remain rational and calm, and judge China's prevention and control efforts with objectivity and compassion. We need your understanding and support for the cooperation between China and India in epidemic control to ensure normal personnel exchanges and trade between the two countries.
Regarding donations by foreign countries to China, Consul General Zha Liyou introduced until the noon of February 5, a total of 21 countries including the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Hungary, Belarus, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, as well as Trinidad and Tobagoand and the United Nations Children's Fund have donated epidemic prevention and control supplies to China. Chinese Consulate in Kolkata has received 80,000 medical masks from Indian friends. Though Indian government has issued the export ban of facial masks, we still hope these masks can be shipped back to China to help those in need.