Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19), under the deployment and leadership of the General Secretary Xi Jinping, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government has led the Chinese people in making all-out efforts to fight the epidemic. China has taken the most comprehensive and stringent prevention and control measures to resolutely contain the spread of the virus, effectively protecting the health and safety of the Chinese people as well as people around the world and making important contributions to global public health. China’s efforts have been highly commended and supported by countries around the world, the WHO and other international organizations. The international community is fully confident in China’s ability to fight the epidemic in an effective and determined way.

Over the past few days, the South African political parties, government, business community, universities and people from all walks of life have all given the thumbs-up to China. They have highly appreciated China’s extraordinary measures to combat the epidemic, shown firm understanding and support for China and expressed willingness to join hands with China to prevail over the epidemic.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed condolences and expressed support for Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and people. He said that South Africa fully understands and highly appreciates the unremitting efforts made by the Chinese government and people to combat the epidemic. He expressed thanks to China for taking care of South African students and nationals in China. South Africa firmly supports China in winning the battle against the epidemic.

South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), and its coalition ally South African Communist Party (SACP) both issued statements in appreciation of China’s sense of responsibility and supported China’s efforts to combat the NCP. China’s swift response and its construction of two specialized hospitals in record time once again speaks volumes about China’s capability to overcome challenges and the vision of Chinese leadership. The ANC is more confident that China will soon win the battle. As a progressive force, the ANC will always stand and fight side by side with China.

South African Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize issued three statements commending China’s effective control and prevention efforts, which have yielded positive results, and stressed that the SA government does not recommend imposing travel and trade restrictions against China. Leading officials from DIRCO, DTI, South African Revenue Service and other departments have also expressed their admiration for China’s decisive measures and achievements in fighting the epidemic and expressed their willingness to join hands with China to defeat it. The mayor of Cape Town sent a letter to express his sincere condolences and firm support for China, and wished for an early victory over the epidemic.

As Chinese students studying in South Africa will soon return to SA, the Department of Higher Education and Training, the South African International Education Association, and the Association of South African Universities spoke highly of China’s measures and achievements in epidemic prevention and control, and in response to China’s initiative, informed the relevant universities to take effective measures at the earliest possible time to protect Chinese students and scholars in South Africa, as well as the Mandarin teachers and volunteers at the Confucius Institutes and classrooms, so as to prevent the epidemic from spreading to South Africa.

A number of South African universities and scholars expressed their firm support for China to get through this period of difficulty. “Our hearts are always with the Chinese people at this challenging time. We believe that China will win the battle against the epidemic! Look at the determination of the Chinese government. Look at the actions taken by the Chinese government. All of these things are the source of the world’s confidence”!

The list of touching stories goes on and on. South Africa’s U-mask company has donated masks to China; drone lighting technology developed by South African scientists provided assistance for the construction of the specialized hospital in Wuhan; a South African doctor named Dr Brett Singh was at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, and a number of schools in South Africa donated medical supplies to China.

“Go China! China will win!” Our friends in South Africa have given the Chinese government and people not only strong support and medical supplies, but also solidarity and strength, as well as strong confidence and firm support. This is a vivid reflection of the friendship and brotherhood between China and South Africa, who will always stand together through thick and thin and offer mutual support in times of adversity.