Zhao Lijian

China will provide support to countries with weaker health systems to the best of its ability, help those countries strengthen their capacity for epidemic prevention and control, and safeguard regional and global public health security, said Zhao Lijian, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, at a regular press conference on February 25.

The spokesperson made these remarks when answering a question on what China would do to help Africa cope with the epidemic.

He said that China has taken note of the remarks made by World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at an emergency ministerial meeting on COVID-19 organized by the African Union that the WHO is still worried about the spread of COVID-19 in countries with weaker health system and called on the international community to support those most vulnerable countries.

The spokesperson said that in the process of fighting the epidemic, African countries have provided valuable support and help to China at the earliest time in spite of their limited resources. In times of adversity, Africa stands with China, which is the best reflection of a community with a shared future for humanity.

It is a fine tradition of the Chinese nation that dripping water should be reciprocated by a gushing spring grace, the spokesperson said. "We will remember the friendship and assistance we received, continue to implement the FOCAC Beijing Summit outcomes and act on the vision of building a community with a shared future, support those countries with weaker health systems as much as we can to help them defeat the virus, and safeguard regional and global public health security," he said.