The new crown pneumonia epidemic spreads across the world. How can overseas Chinese in various countries fight the "epidemic"? China Overseas Chinese Network (ID: qiaowangzhongguo) has launched a series of compilations of "Episode Fighting Records of Overseas Chinese" by country, telling the story of the "war epidemic" of overseas Chinese.

In recent days, the epidemic situation of new crown pneumonia in Italy has continued to develop, with more than 60,000 confirmed cases, the government ’s strictest epidemic prevention measures, and emergency assistance from the Chinese medical team ...

During the epidemic, Chinese shops were closed, Chinese factories were closed, Chinese schools were closed, and most of the overseas Chinese were at home at ease.

There was also a group of overseas Chinese who were "retrograde" during the epidemic, busy helping the overseas Chinese to solve their difficulties, busy delivering materials to Italian hospitals, and doing their part to fight the "epidemic".

Chinese shops: Surviving the dilemma

"All Chinese shops in Italy are officially closed, after the Italian Prime Minister issued a 'national closing ban' on March 11." Chen Zhengxi, president of the Italian General Chamber of Commerce in China, told reporters that Chinese merchants in Italy are mainly concentrated in the manufacturing, catering and retail industries. These are the industries most affected by the outbreak.

"The Chinese shops in Milan were the first to be closed. The restaurant I operated was closed on February 23." said Zhou Jianhuang, director of the Milan China Help Center. On February 21, Italy announced the first confirmed case of new coronary pneumonia. Two days later, Italy 80% of the shops on Chinese Street have been closed, and only a few food takeaways are still open.

Chinese shops in Milan closed. Photo by Dong Wenqian

Chinese businessmen have ceased business and Chinese migrant workers have lost their jobs. What happened to them? Chen Zhengxi said that Chinese businessmen have helped people who have lost their jobs. At present, these migrant workers have food, clothing and housing, and life is not a problem. "Especially for some of the larger processing plants and restaurants in northern Milan, Chinese bosses require employees to stay in place and protect them in isolation."

When can Chinese shops reopen? Can I return to the previous level after opening? Can SMEs survive? All these problems made Chen Zhengxi "worried." "I think that the epidemic will allow Chinese businessmen in Italy to undergo changes, such as the rise of online food ordering and online shopping, and the traditional form will be affected."

"Fortunately, Italy has also introduced some assistance policies." Chen Zhengxi told reporters. Last week, Italy announced 25 billion euros in economic relief measures, including companies that can postpone loans and help companies pay for labor termination costs caused by the blockade. "It is recommended that qualified Chinese businessmen learn how to use preferential policies."

Chinese Communities: Fighting Epidemics in Peace of Mind

The new crown pneumonia epidemic continues to spread in Italy, but there is such a community that maintains a record of zero infection. It has also been praised as a "model community" by the local mayor. This is the Prato Chinese community in Italy.

Prato has the largest Chinese population in Italy. Chinese make up 10% of the total local population. How can they achieve zero infection? "I think this is due to the strong awareness of the Chinese people, and the protective measures have been done earlier." The director of the Prato China Aid Center said.

He told reporters that all overseas Chinese returning from Italy after the Spring Festival strictly implemented the measures of isolation for 14 days. Chinese parents decided early not to send their children to school, and Chinese companies began to work at home. These were before the government took preventive measures. In January, the overseas Chinese groups in Prato issued statements on multiple occasions, telling everyone how to take precautions. "

Tips from the Prato Overseas Chinese Mission.

Not only the Prato Chinese community, but also the Roman Chinese community took early steps. On February 25th local time, 25 overseas Chinese delegations established the “Emergency Response Leadership Group” to provide community overseas Chinese with WeChat group health consultation, translation of the Ministry of Health's epidemic prevention advice, medical institution information integration, delivery of food and living materials for overseas Chinese.

Data map: On February 25th local time, the Chinese News Agency of Rome held an emergency meeting on fighting the epidemic. (Photo by Eurographer Zhang Rui)

"For example, in this community where I live, you don't have to go out to buy vegetables. Every three days, there will be volunteers from the Roman overseas Chinese delegation to deliver dishes to everyone. The types of vegetables are also relatively rich." Chen Zhengxi said that at present the mentality of Chinese It is very stable. The arrival of China's medical team to Italy has greatly increased the confidence of the Chinese in fighting the epidemic.

In the Chinese community, the overseas Chinese also actively help the Italian people. On March 15, in a residential building in the Paperino district of Prato, a bag of masks and a small white envelope appeared in the mailbox of each household. It turned out that a Chinese resident quietly gave it to an Italian neighbor. .

Chinese masks for neighbors. (New European Journal)

There are many more such warming actions. In a building in the Isola district of Milan, Chinese children left some envelopes on the porch of the building with protective masks and their blessings. The message said "Everything will be all right "," Let's protect the world together "," Remember to abide by the rules of protection. "

Chinese children's love card for Italian neighbors. (Italian Chinese Street)

Chinese associations: "retrograde" to help people

At a time when most Italian nationals are "home-stayed", the staff of the Chinese community often drove trucks to haul goods to Italian hospitals.

On March 13, Zhou Jianhuang and friends transported 600 sets of protective clothing to the Niguada Hospital in Milan. On the 20th, he transported 26,000 medical gloves donated by overseas Chinese to this hospital.

Li Xiutong, Zhu Jinliang and Zhou Jianhuang donated materials to the local hospital in Milan. (Photo by interviewees)

Zhou Jianhuang said that the overseas Chinese community in Milan launched a donation campaign for Italian hospitals among the overseas Chinese on March 1st. As of March 10, 3612 overseas Chinese donations have been received, totaling 85,000 euros, and all of this money has been donated to Milan Niguada. hospital.

After the Adriatic Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Italy learned that Rimini's hospital had a serious shortage of medical protective equipment, it urgently raised funds to buy a batch of medical masks, protective clothing, and goggles that were in short supply in the hospital. On March 17, Chairman Zhou Zhongxing and others drove the supplies to Rimini Affiliated Hospital of Bologna Medical School.

The Italian Prato Overseas Group donated materials to the local hospital. (Photo by interviewees)

Similar acts of kind are happening every day. The overseas Chinese in Reggio Emilia donated 70,000 Euros to the local hospital for a short time; the Prato Overseas Chinese Mission donated masks and disinfection water to the local hospital on many occasions; Iseo and Chiari Hospital donated caring lunch ...

Chinese School: Learning Beyond the Cloud

Under the epidemic, Chinese schools have been suspended. The Italian and Chinese schools first launched a micro-lecture public welfare lecture hall. Seeing that students were more active, the school launched a live class.

The principal of the school, Fu Wenwu, said that in recent years, the school has cooperated with the Chinese Language Education Foundation of China and participated in many online courses. "So students and teachers are no strangers to online courses."

However, he said that after all, there are many differences between online teaching and field teaching. Reasonable allocation of class hours and enhancement of the classroom charm of live classes are the key points to be solved at present. . "

Little overseas Chinese study at home. Photo courtesy of Wencheng Propaganda Department

The largest Chinese language school in Rome, the Chinese Language School of Rome, cooperated with Wencheng Base of Wenzhou Overseas Communication Center to launch the "Cloud Class for Children of Overseas Chinese". The first course was launched on March 14. Qu Zhengqing, a teacher of the Chinese Language School in Rome, said: "I met my children for the first time through the air class. urge."

Reporter: Wu Kan