China News Service, Kuala Lumpur, April 9th (Reporter Chen Yue) On the afternoon of April 8, 2021, Lu Shiwei, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Penang, and the staff of the Consulate General went to Penang’s surname Zhouqiao Pier to welcome The last batch of 21 Chinese nationals stranded on the "Star" cruise ship disembarked, distributed epidemic prevention material packages, and coordinated arrangements to go to Kuala Lumpur Airport.
All personnel have successfully returned to the motherland on Xiamen Airlines flight MF848 on the afternoon of April 9, 2021.
Continuously supervise epidemic prevention and life safety every day
The "Nine-Emperor Star" cruise ship started operating in Penang waters in November 2019. Since the new crown epidemic broke down in March 2020, more than 140 Chinese crew members have been stranded on the ship.
According to the staff of the Chinese Consulate General in Penang, the consulate attaches great importance to this and has been arranging special personnel to maintain normal contact with shipowners and charterers, continuously tightening and compacting responsibilities for epidemic prevention and safety, and supply of living materials, and actively coordinating with the Penang Port Authority , Beihai District Maritime Safety Administration and other local functional departments to strengthen business supervision and guidance, and provide necessary assistance in material supply and ferry.
Before the Spring Festival of 2021, Consul General Lu Shiwei and the staff of the Consulate General took a boat close to the "Nine Emperor Star" cruise ship, visited and expressed condolences to the Chinese crew members in the cabin and distributed the "Spring Festival Package", and further improved the related research on site with relevant local authorities jobs.
As of the departure of the last group of crew members, the supply of materials on board basically met daily necessities, and there were no cases of infection.
The crew took a group photo at the airport before returning home.
Photo courtesy of the Consulate General of Penang Photo courtesy of the Consulate General of Penang
"Diplomacy for the People" Smooth Green Channel Home
Due to epidemic prevention and control requirements, the crew of the cruise ship was not allowed to disembark and enter the country during the initial period of detention.
On the one hand, the Consulate-General guides the crew to rationally analyze the development of the epidemic situation and take a correct view of the local epidemic prevention policy. At the same time, it actively reflects the difficulties encountered by Chinese citizens to the relevant departments, and strives for their policy support. When entering the "restoration restriction order", arrange staff to visit the Chinese crew at the port, coordinate with the Penang Port Authority, shipping company, ground agency, and crew representatives on-site to negotiate the feasibility of the crew's disembarkation and return, and the expiration of the certificate.
The Ministry of Transport of Malaysia promulgated relevant policies to allow crews to disembark and enter the country in June 2020. With the effective assistance of relevant departments such as the Port Health Bureau and the Immigration Bureau, as of early March 2021, according to personal wishes, nearly 80 Chinese crew members have disembarked and returned to China.
Consul General Lu Shiwei (the middle person in the second row) came to greet the crew and hand out anti-epidemic supplies.
Photo courtesy of the Consulate General of Penang Photo courtesy of the Consulate General of Penang
To safeguard legitimate rights and interests, one cannot be less
As the length of stay has increased, problems such as labor disputes, material supply difficulties, and physical and mental health have gradually become prominent.
The consulate-general actively assists Chinese seafarers in safeguarding their rights in accordance with the law, communicates rationally with management, seeks professional assistance from industry organizations such as seafarers' unions and lawyers, and forms local functional departments such as the Maritime Safety Administration to conduct inspections and assessments on the lives and health of seafarers.
With the efforts of multiple parties, while the disputes were being heard in accordance with the law, the 64 crew members who were stranded until the end began to disembark and return to China in three batches since March 26.
In order to ensure the normal operation of the vessel, the six Chinese management and technical personnel in the engine room and deck cabin will hold on until all the crew members of other nationalities have evacuated before arranging the disembarkation and returning to China.
"I was the last batch to get off the boat and board the car. Looking at the sweaty and busy figure of the consulate general staff, the consul general's words of concern and encouragement echoed in my ears, and I couldn't stop tears..." Chen surnamed The crew sighed for the 14-month journey of wandering at sea, "I feel so homesick! Although there are many difficulties, the consulate has been helping us. I urge myself to take good care of myself every day, and don’t get sick. Today, I can finally do it. Go home!"
Consul General Lu Shiwei told the crew that protecting the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese citizens is the basic duty and mission of diplomats. The Chinese Consulate General in Penang has always been committed to providing necessary assistance to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens.
He also hoped that the crew would pay attention to epidemic prevention and safety, take care of each other, and be safe and smooth on their way back home.
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