The new crown pneumonia epidemic is spreading rapidly around the world. How many Chinese students studying abroad remain overseas? How is the infection? Do they have anti-epidemic supplies?
In the morning of April 2nd, the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Health and Health Commission, the Civil Aviation Bureau and other departments focused on the safety of Chinese students studying abroad during the epidemic and responded intensively.
1.42 million overseas students stay overseas
Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said that according to the statistics of the education department, the total number of overseas students has reached 1.6 million, and currently there are about 1.42 million people abroad. These overseas students are distributed in different countries and regions, such as 410,000 people in the United States; approximately 230,000 people in Canada; approximately 220,000 people in the United Kingdom; approximately 110,000 people in Germany and France; approximately 280,000 people in Australia and New Zealand; There are about 180,000 people in South Korea.
Ma Zhaoxu said that Chinese embassies and consulates abroad are paying close attention to the development of the local epidemic situation every day, and every day they are learning about the needs and plans of Chinese students studying abroad. Judging from the situation of the embassies and consulates abroad, most overseas students still choose to stay in the local area. According to the World Health Organization's advice, disease control experts have also suggested that in the current situation, cross-border movement should be minimized.
Data map, a closed fence in front of the Trevi Fountain in central Rome, Italy.
36 overseas students confirmed
Tian Xuejun, deputy minister of education, said that as of March 31, a total of 36 Chinese overseas students had been diagnosed. All 36 international students received better treatment in time, and 11 have been discharged.
"From the figures we have, the number and proportion of infections of overseas students are generally at a relatively low level." Tian Xuejun said that the Ministry of Education and the embassies and consulates abroad have established an epidemic detection and daily reporting system for overseas students. Once an infection or suspected case is found, the emergency mechanism will be activated as soon as possible.
Is it difficult for international students to get a ticket to return home?
Civil Aviation Bureau: temporary charter flights can be arranged according to demand and conditions
After the global epidemic accelerated in March, some overseas students wanted to return to China, but faced a situation where it was difficult to get a ticket.
Lu Erxue, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration, stated that in accordance with the work requirements of the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council, the Civil Aviation Administration issued a "five one" policy, which drastically reduced the number of international flights. No more than 134 international scheduled flights per week.
On the other hand, in accordance with the central government's general requirements for strengthening the care and care of Chinese citizens abroad, the Civil Aviation Administration has timely activated major air transport guarantee mechanisms for some cities with concentrated demand and flight destinations with receiving guarantee capabilities, and arranged temporary flights to assist overseas citizens to return home.
Photo by Fang Tianxiang
Will receive another 180 Chinese citizens from Italy and about 180 international students from the UK
Lu Erxue said that from March 4th to 26th, civil aviation arranged a total of 9 temporary flights to assist 1,466 Chinese citizens in Iran and Italy to return to China. Among them, 6 temporary flights were executed on Iran and 976 passengers were returned, mainly to international students. . Three Italian temporary flights have been carried out, and the fourth is currently underway. 180 Chinese citizens will be returned. The specific route is Milan to Wenzhou.
"Today (2nd), the temporary flight to the United Kingdom has officially started. The first flight has taken off from Shanghai Pudong Airport at 9:30 this morning. It will arrive in London tonight. It is expected to receive about 180 international students." Lu Erxue said .
Ministry of Foreign Affairs allocates more than 11 million masks to Chinese students
At present, some Chinese students who are stranded overseas face the problems of out of stock masks, restricted purchase of hand sanitizer, and unavailability of anti-epidemic drugs.
Ma Zhaoxu introduced that the embassies and consulates issued "health packs" to overseas students through various channels, and continuously distributed 500,000 health packs to Chinese students, including more than 11 million masks and 500,000 disinfection items.
Cultural and educational officials of the Chinese Embassy in Panama visited the Chinese students studying in Panama City and sent them to the motherland for their care and epidemic prevention. Image source: Website of the Chinese Embassy in Panama
Some international students expressed their feelings in the WeChat circle of friends: "I may never forget, there are students from all over the world in the school, but so far, I have only seen the Chinese embassy arrange the distribution of epidemic prevention materials at the entrance of each dormitory, thank the motherland! "
Finishing: Li Jinlei, Song Yusheng, Yang Yuqi, Peng Jingru, Yuan Xiueyue, Sun Yue