Vice premier pays tribute to medical teams for Ebola control mission

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (R front) sends off a Chinese medical team who are to leave for West Africa to help in the fight against Ebola, at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, Nov. 14, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Nov. 14 -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has highly praised the four Chinese medical teams which left for West Africa for Ebola control on Friday night.

Liu was at the Beijing Capital International Airport to see the teams off. She wished them bon voyage and hopes that they can do a good job in defeating the disease in Africa.

Liu said the medical assistance operations is a clear embodiment of the lasting friendship between China and the African nations, which have earned widespread acclaims from the African people and the international communities' applause.

She called the teams to vigorously promote the perseverant spirit and glorious traditions of Chinese foreign health aid and effectively curb the epidemic.

The Vice Premier also asked the staff to take care of their own safety and ensure zero infection.

So far, China has sent more than 300 staff to West African countries, and about 1,000 medical workers and public health experts are on stand-by.

The Chinese government has also provided the affected countries with financial and material aid, totaling 750 million yuan (122 million U.S. dollars).