Gambia China exchange ideas in Combating Coronavirus

By Bakary Ceesay

Ambassador Ma Jianchun exchanged views on jointly containing the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) with Hon. Mamadou Tangara

On 3 February 2020, Ambassador Ma Jianchun met with Hon. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, and exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral cooperation in preventing and controlling the outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus, also known as the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Ambassador Ma briefed Hon. Tangara on the latest development of the epidemic and the measures taken by the Chinese side. He said that since the pneumonia outbreak, the Chinese government had taken the most comprehensive and rigorous prevention and control measures with a strong sense of responsibility for people’s health.

The safety and health of the Gambian nationals in China are of equal importance as the Chinese people, which has been well taken care of. As a responsible country for the international society, China has also taken many measures to prevent the outbreak from spreading abroad, many of which go way beyond the requirements of the WHO.

The declaration of the epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by WHO was a technical decision in accordance with the International Health Regulations and made within its responsibilities.

Ambassador Ma emphasized that as more medical resources being mobilized and transported to the epicenter of the outbreak, we are not far from winning the battle against the outbreak.

Hon. Tangara appreciated China for taking decisive and scientific measures in containing the pneumonia outbreak and ensuring safety of Gambian nationals in China especially those in the epicenter of the outbreak.

He said that the Gambian side has full confidence in China’s ability in winning the battle against the outbreak, and the Gambian people are always in solidarity with the friendly Chinese people.

He further pointed out that the Gambian side will continue to refrain from imposing unnecessary travel or trade restriction on the Chinese people.