China ready to actively assist DRC, other African countries hit by Ebola

China stands ready to actively help African countries affected by the latest Ebola outbreak, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

Lin made the remarks during a daily press briefing in response to a related question.

Lin said that China and Africa are good brothers who stand together through thick and thin, adding that China deeply empathizes with the new Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

Lin said that in 2015, China provided immense support to three West African countries fighting Ebola and is now ready to actively assist countries hit by the latest outbreak, such as the DRC.

“To that end, the Chinese government has decided to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to the DRC and, in particular, send medical expert teams for medical services and assistance,” said Lin.

He noted that China has also provided assistance to the African Union Commission and has cooperated in epidemic prevention and control, jointly enhancing the capacity of African countries to combat the epidemic.

China has a sustaining presence of medical aid in African over decades. Lin said China now has 45 medical teams, totaling more than 900 personnel, assisting 44 African countries.

“As we speak, Chinese medical teams are on the ground fighting the disease shoulder to shoulder with African people,” Lin said, adding that China will stay in close touch with the DRC and other African countries to beat Ebola.

“We also call on the international community to take more concrete actions to help the DRC and other African countries defeat the outbreak of Ebola at an early date,” Lin said.