(Fighting New Crown Pneumonia) Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Calling New Crown Virus "Chinese Virus" Very Irresponsible
China News Service, Beijing, March 4th (Huang Yuqin) At present, there are still many opinions about the source of the new crown virus and "patient zero". In response, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on the 4th that some media claimed that the new crown virus was a "Chinese virus" and was extremely irresponsible. China resolutely opposed this.
He emphasized that, first, the traceability of the virus is still in progress and no conclusion has been reached. The World Health Organization has repeatedly stated that the new crown virus is a global phenomenon and its source is still uncertain. At this time, attention should be paid to how to deal with the virus and to avoid regional stigma. The reason WHO named the new crown virus "COVID-19" is that the name is not related to any region or country. The authoritative Chinese respiratory specialist and Academician Zhong Nanshan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering once said that the epidemic first appeared in China, but not necessarily originated in China.
Second, we must jointly oppose "information viruses" and "political viruses". In the absence of any factual basis for individual media, the New Crown virus is arrogantly claiming that it is a "Chinese virus", and it is totally ulterior motives to try to put China on the back of a black pot to create an epidemic disaster. The new crown pneumonia epidemic is a common challenge faced by all countries in the world. The international community should work together to cope with it is the right path on earth. It is necessary to resist rumor and prejudice together. In the face of the epidemic, what we need is science, rationality, cooperation, science to overcome ignorance, and cooperation to resist prejudice.
Another reporter asked a question. Recently, the number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia continues to increase, and pressure on prevention and control in some countries has increased. However, the cure rate in China continues to increase, with new and suspected cases remaining low for days. What has China done recently in sharing prevention and control experience and diagnosis and treatment plans with relevant countries?
Zhao Lijian said that China has been paying close attention to the development of the global new crown pneumonia epidemic situation. We always adhere to the concept of a community of shared future for mankind and strengthen international epidemic prevention cooperation in an open, transparent and responsible manner. That's what we said and we did.
He introduced that on the afternoon of the 3rd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, together with the National Health and Health Commission, held a video exchange meeting with experts on the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, Turkmenistan and the SCO Secretariat. Experts from the National Health and Health Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Administration of Customs, our embassies in relevant countries, experts from technical institutions such as the China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Peking University Hospital, relevant foreign affairs and health departments, diplomatic agencies in China, experts in the health field, and relevant international Organizational representatives participated in the video conference.
Zhao Lijian said that Chinese experts comprehensively introduced China's epidemic situation and its experience in prevention, control, and treatment. The parties have conducted in-depth exchanges on prevention and control measures, diagnostic screening, and laboratory testing, and said that they will further strengthen information exchange and Coordinate actions to maintain regional and global health security.
He also said that before that, China and the EU also held two video conferences to conduct in-depth exchanges on epidemic prevention and control. Related news has been released. (Finish)