Alima Danfakha Gakou, consul general of Mali in Guangzhou, praised the communication between the Guangdong provincial government and consulates general of African countries, as well as anti-novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic measures taken by the provincial authorities.

She especially appreciated the current daily meetings among consulates general of African countries, as well as provincial and city governments to address the problems concerning African people in Guangdong during the COVID-19 epidemic.

These measures have indicated the great importance that the Guangdong government has placed on the issues concerning African people and consulates general in Guangdong, she said to the media in Guangzhou on April 18.

The problems that some African people encountered previously in Guangdong had to do with insufficient communication between the local governments and consulates general before some anti-COVID-19 epidemic measures were taken, as well as the consequent failure of consulates general in forwarding timely related information to African people, she said.

In implementing the anti-COVID-19 epidemic measures, some information was not fully communicated to the service providers on the ground, said Teferi Melesse Desta, consul general of Ethiopia in Guangzhou.

Desta called on people to follow the information provided by health commissions and government branches, adding that rumors lead to misunderstandings and confusion.

Gakou said that she appreciates the strong measures taken by the Chinese government to curb the spread of the virus during the COVID-19 epidemic, adding that African consulates general have advocated the need among African residents in Guangdong to abide by the anti-COVID-19 epidemic measures to safeguard their health.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, African people have been standing side-by-side with Chinese people, expressing their support for China.

African countries have received donations of anti-COVID-19 epidemic supplies by branches of the Chinese government and Chinese companies, as well as embraced Chinese medical expert teams.

This signifies the spirit of Sino-African solidarity and mutual aid, Gakou said, adding that only with solidarity and Chinese support can Africa win the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Zhang Xin, deputy governor of Guangdong, Chen Chunsheng, Party secretary of Sun Yat-sen University, and officials of a number of African consulates general met with several African students at the university on April 18.

Guangdong authorities have placed great importance to the health and safety of expatriates in Guangdong, implementing undifferentiated health management measures during the COVID-19 epidemic and firmly opposing any discriminatory acts, Zhang said.

The Sino-African friendship is deeply rooted and unbreakable in Guangdong. During this special time in combating the novel coronavirus epidemic, China and Africa should stand together to win the fight, he said.

The Guangdong provincial government issued an open letter in Chinese, English, and French on Saturday, urging Chinese residents and expatriates in Guangdong to team up to win the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

Zhang Xin, deputy governor of Guangdong, Chen Chunsheng, Party secretary of Sun Yat-sen University, and officials of a number of African consulates general meet with African students at the university on April 18. [Photo/newsgd.com]