(Fighting New Crown Pneumonia) Chinese embassy in the United States talks about studying abroad: support personal choices
China News Service, Washington, April 2-The Chinese Embassy in the United States issued an important notice on the official website on the 2nd to analyze the situation of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in the United States and answer questions of concern to international students in the United States.
The notice, "What do you do when you study in the United States during the epidemic?" States that whether or not Chinese students return to China is "supporting individual choices and recommending careful weighing." At the same time, emphasis was placed on three aspects: "comprehensive assessment of risks, protection in the United States, and attention to authoritative information."
After analyzing the situation of the U.S. epidemic from four aspects: "development to be observed, national mobilization, high level of medical care, and good social order," the notice pointed out that whether international students should return to China requires a careful, thorough, and calm decision after assessing various factors. Fully understand your health and assess the risk of infection at the airport or in the cabin during long journeys. At present, about 32% of the imported patients diagnosed in China are international students, and the possibility of infection during travel is not low. If you choose to return to your country, you should do your best to protect yourself during your travels, and isolate them in accordance with relevant Chinese domestic regulations, and truthfully declare your health.
The notice also pointed out that more than 90% of the more than 400,000 Chinese students in the United States still choose to continue their studies in the United States. If you stay in the US, you don't have to be too anxious. First, the chance of contracting the disease is very low. Three Chinese students in the United States have been diagnosed, of which one has been cured and the other two have been promptly diagnosed. Second, international students have purchased medical insurance, which can cover medical expenses to varying degrees. The third is that the embassy and consulate in the United States will provide strong support to protect their children.
Regarding the question of whether more flights can be opened for international students, the embassy in the United States stated that it would "actively respond to requests and make full coordination and guarantee".
The notice stated that the embassy in the United States had immediately reflected domestic issues such as the shortage of air tickets and student detention due to flight reductions, especially the approach of summer, and more international students will be required to return to China. The relevant person in charge of the Civil Aviation Administration of China has stated that for cities with concentrated demand and flight destinations capable of preventing and controlling epidemic conditions, major air transport guarantee mechanisms will be activated as appropriate to provide temporary overtime and charter flights. The embassy and consulate in the United States will maintain close communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Civil Aviation Administration, actively and comprehensively feedback the reasonable demands of international students, coordinate the domestic and international epidemic prevention and control situation, and fully coordinate and guarantee the flight needs of international students in the United States.
Regarding the claims that Chinese colleges and universities are expelling Chinese students from their dormitories, the ambassador to the United States pointed out that individual reports were exaggerated and students would not be displaced.
The notice said that there are indeed many US universities that have announced that they will be forced to close their dormitories, requiring students to move out of their dormitories within a time limit. This is a school initiative to reduce aggregation and prevent the virus from spreading more widely across campus, targeting all students, not just Chinese students. After receiving student feedback and explaining the situation, most American schools responded positively and came up with solutions.
The ambassador to the United States also stated that the embassy and consulate in the United States has provided epidemic prevention and health kits to some international students who have been affected by the epidemic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating the purchase of large quantities of epidemic prevention materials in China, and after delivery, it will be distributed to international students through the Chinese Students and Scholars Association of each university. (Finish)