The
Chinese ambassador, His Excellency Ma Jianchun on 20 February 2020 met with
Hon. Badara Joof, the minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and
Technology.
They
talked about the developments of China’s combat against COVID-19 outbreak, as
well as safeguarding the health of Gambian students living in China during
these trying times.
Ambassador
Ma briefed Minister Joof on the current distribution of Gambian students in
China, and the multifaceted measures taken by the Chinese government, schools,
and residential communities to prevent them from infection and other assistance
rendered for their daily needs. He stressed that the Chinese government
considered the health and safety of all foreigners in China equally important
as that of Chinese citizens, and no Gambian national in China has been infected
so far. Ambassador Ma took Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)
in Wuhan as an example, pointing out that measures taken by the school included
frequent disinfection in campus especially in residential areas, distributing
health necessities to students, delivering free meals three times per day to
students’ dormitories, providing shopping and delivery assistance, and so on.
He said that while the COVID-19 outbreak inevitably made life less easy, the
Chinese side would responsibly do its best to safeguard health and safety of
all Gambian students living in China, and properly help minimize inconvenience
of their life in accordance with law and regulations.
Minister
Joof on his part, appreciated the comprehensive measures taken by the Chinese
government and people to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, commending China’s
efforts in mobilising people and resources across the whole nation to prevent
and control the disease. He also noted the positive developments of the combat
against the outbreak seen in recent two weeks, expressing confidence that under
the leadership of H.E. President Xi Jinping, China would soon be able to win
the battle. Hon. Joof thanked Ambassador Ma for updating him on relevant information
of Gambian students in China and all the measures taken to ensure their safety.
He expressed readiness of his ministry in further coordinating and cooperating
with the Chinese Embassy to exchange information on Gambian students’ future
updates, and to help safeguard their health.
