The head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union reassured his African counterparts that the lethal coronavirus can be controlled and cured, adding that pent-up consumer demand will unleash momentum to push China’s economy forward once the epidemic is over.

Liu Yuxi made the comments at an emergency ministerial meeting to update African Union Member states on the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic on Feb. 22.

While sharing promising data with African leaders, Liu noted that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, with its ability to mobilise institutions to harness all resources to deal with major events, rich experience in handling public health emergencies as well as broad support from the international community including Africa, China is fully confident it will win the battle against the epidemic.

Liu also reassured African nations that China will treat both Chinese and foreigners in China equally.

“In Wuhan, where China’s COVID-19 outbreak took place, the local government has regularly distributed anti-epidemic supplies to more than 5,000 foreign students and opened a 24-hour hotline. Chinese embassies and consulates in Africa have also asked overseas Chinese to carry out self-quarantine to prevent the spread of the epidemic in Africa,” said Liu.

To date, Cameroonian student Kem Senou Pavel Daryl has been the first and only African patient to be diagnosed in China. After being cured and discharged from hospital, an emotional Daryl said, “The Chinese medical staff are very strong and brave. I don’t feel much pain from this illness. We all love China and believe in the Chinese government!”

The ambassador also called on all nations to assess the epidemic situation in a calm, objective and rational manner.

“Overreacting and hasty movement of people will add more uncertainties to controlling the spread. We encourage all countries to stay informed and act on the WHO's advice on travel and health,” said the ambassador.

Liu expressed gratitude to African nations that provided support for China’s battle against the epidemic, noting that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with the international community under the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind to jointly combat the epidemic.

“It is believed that once the epidemic is over, pent-up consumer demand will be quickly unleashed and help fuel a robust economic rebound. China will enjoy more sound and sustainable economic development after the epidemic. It is believed that once the epidemic is over, the friendship between China and Africa will be further deepened and the bilateral cooperation in the fields of medicine and health will embrace new opportunities,” said the ambassador.

African leaders and leaders of international organizations, including Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization, and Amira El Fadil, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Commission, attended the meeting.