19 Feb 2020

China has expressed gratitude to different countries for the valuable support rendered to the country as it continues to fight Covid 19.

Speaking at a press briefing in Gaborone on February 18, Chinese ambassador to Botswana Dr Zhao Yanbo said leaders of more than 160 countries including President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi and international organisations had showed support.

 He said 33 foreign governments and four international organisations had provided China with medical supplies while 17 foreign governments and one international organisation had pledged assistance.

Dr Yanbo said China was doing its part by providing assistance and facilitation to foreign nationals in the country.

He said to date, confirmed cases outside China accounted for less than one per cent of the world’s total which meant the country had effectively curbed the spread of the outbreak beyond their borders.

China has protected not only its own people, but also people beyond its borders, he said.

Speaking on the national mobilisation for a full victory, Dr Zhao said high efficiency of resources mobilisation had been done and 217 medical teams with 25 633 medical workers had been sent to Hubei Province.

Dr Zhao said 20 374 medical workers were now working in Wuhan while P3 laboratories had been dispatched to the epicenter for epidemic control.

Nine temporary hospitals with more than 6 960 beds had been opened in Hubei Province with 5 606 infected patients currently receiving treatment.

He said the World Health Organisation has since commended China for its tremendous epidemic control efforts and President Xi Jinping for his exceptional leadership and political resolve.ENDs