BEIJING, Oct. 30 -- The Chinese military has joined the government's efforts to help African countries' fight against the Ebola virus, a defense ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
"As arranged by the government, the Chinese military is playing an active role in aiding West African countries in the fight against Ebola," Yang Yujun told a monthly press briefing.
Yang said a 30-strong medical team from a military hospital arrived in Sierra Leone in mid-September and they continue to work there.
Yang mentioned China's decision to build a 100-bed treatment center in Liberia where the epidemic is most serious, and said the military is helping in that mission and construction of the center is in progress.
In addition to the ongoing mission of collecting and transporting relief materials, the military will also send experienced medical experts, doctors and nurses to treat patients and train local doctors and nurses, said the spokesman.
"The Chinese military will continue to provide support and assistance as much as it can for West African countries to fight Ebola," Yang added.
Last week, China pledged a new batch of aid worth 82 million U.S. dollars to help West Africa fight the Ebola outbreak, bringing total Chinese aid to the region for the deadly disease to 122 million dollars.
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