In an interview, the Chinese Ambassador to the European Union, Zhang Ming, stressed that the Chinese government has set up a multi-level system to deal with the new Corona virus, and that it has mobilized all resources to limit the spread of the disease, and that wild animals are the cause of the spread of the virus and not the bats as some agencies promote, but rather. She is just a babysitter. The following are excerpts from the interview:
- Wuhan is currently being quarantined, and a number of videos published in the European Union media reflect a state of panic, as people scream from their windows because of the closure. What is happening in Wuhan? How does the Chinese government deal with this critical situation in this city?
I also watched this video. Some of those who watched the video were probably terrified because they do not understand Chinese, and therefore cannot understand what the residents were cheering for. They used to say, "We can handle it ... we will continue." Some people sing the Chinese national anthem with great pride, and this was an expression of confidence, optimism, determination and solidarity of the people of Wuhan and all the Chinese people during the "difficult times." Wuhan is the city in which the first case of coronavirus appeared, and managing the movement of people is a big challenge in Wuhan, with a population of more than 10 million, we have taken many measures to reduce the impact on the many aspects of people's lives. Many Wuhan citizens posted videos on social media, describing the bright side of their lives during "difficult times" even with a touch of humor.
How did you make sure that the virus was largely restricted to Wuhan? Is it a matter of insurance only, or have you taken more measures?
The Chinese government attaches great importance to controlling the spread of the disease, and a leading central group has been established to respond to the outbreak of the disease, and we have put in place a comprehensive multi-level prevention and control system focusing on Hubei Province, and we are making good efforts in various fields in a transparent, scientific and organized manner, and China has intensified international cooperation in the area of combating the outbreak Disease, and exchange information with the World Health Organization and other countries. The Chinese government is considered one of the distinguished governments in mobilizing resources to meet the main challenges. It has gained valuable experience in dealing with SARS, bird flu and Ebola, and we have all the determination, confidence and ability to win the battle against the spread of the disease.
Do you think the WHO should have raised the threat level much earlier? Do you agree with the international public health emergency?
China appreciates its cooperation with the World Health Organization, and welcomes the participation of the World Health Organization in dealing with this disease. The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanum Gebresus, visited China this week, and WHO experts made a field trip to Wuhan. The World Health Organization is confident in China's ability to control the virus, but since the cause of the virus is not known, the World Health Organization is concerned about the possible spread of the disease outside China, and the virus may spread widely in countries with poor health systems.
Are the reported deaths or injuries reliable?
Since January 20, a number of cases are reported on a daily basis, and this is mandatory even for regions where no cases appear. On January 21, the National Health Commission of China began collecting and publishing data on case numbers by province, and the numbers are updated in real time every day , And is available to people all over the country and the world. China is well aware of the critical importance of careful monitoring and disclosure of case data for disease control. As President Xi Jinping said, the virus is a "demon" and "we should not allow any demon to hide."
- What is your assessment regarding the origin of the Corona virus, as several media reports indicated that consumption of bats is the reason for the outbreak?
Since the outbreak of the disease, there has been continuous research to verify the source of the virus, and according to recent tests conducted by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is possible that the new corona virus has come from wild animals, and that bats are hosting a variety of viruses, and some researchers indicate that The outbreak may have been caused by a new strain of the Corona virus that appeared in the bats, however the means of transmission have not yet been verified.
The Chinese government is considered one of the distinguished governments in mobilizing resources to meet the main challenges. It has gained valuable experience in dealing with SARS, bird flu and Ebola virus.