Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon: Fighting the epidemic together, strengthening friendship

　Original title: Fighting the epidemic together, strengthening friendship (Ambassador's essay)

　　Wang Yingwu

　　China-Cameroon and China-Africa relations have withstood the test, and any attempts at sabotage are doomed to fail.

　　In the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic, China and Cameroon have supported and cooperated with each other, writing a new chapter in the traditional friendship between the two countries.

　　At the critical moment when China was fighting the epidemic, Cameroon repeatedly voiced its support for China, which made us feel warm and encouraged. President Biya wrote to President Xi Jinping, expressing condolences and support for the Chinese government and people's heroic fight against the epidemic. High-ranking officials such as the Cameroonian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Public Health repeatedly praised China's epidemic prevention and control measures and its spirit of international cooperation, and expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation with China and fight the epidemic together. Friends from all walks of life in Cameroon also spontaneously produced videos to cheer for Wuhan and China.

　　On January 30, Pavile, a Cameroonian student in Hubei Province, was diagnosed with COVID-19. China promptly informed Cameroon of Pavile's treatment and took various measures to ensure the health and safety of Cameroonian citizens in China. The Chinese Embassy in Cameroon immediately released news of Pavile's treatment and recovery, and also established a communication mechanism with the parents of Cameroonian students in China. Cameroon's largest newspaper, Le Jour, reprinted an article from the People's Daily featuring an interview with Pavile. Cameroonian netizens left numerous comments expressing their gratitude for China's meticulous treatment and care. The students' parents said they believed their children would be able to safely overcome the epidemic in China and expressed their gratitude for China's care and support.

　　Cameroon confirmed its first imported case of COVID-19 from Europe on March 6, and the epidemic situation is now becoming increasingly severe. China has supported Cameroon's series of epidemic prevention and control measures, and despite still facing the arduous task of "preventing imported cases and preventing rebounds" domestically, it has actively carried out epidemic prevention and control cooperation with Cameroon. On March 18, a video conference on COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control between China and African countries was successfully held, and Cameroonian experts attending the meeting expressed high praise for China's unreserved sharing of its epidemic prevention and control experience. Chinese aid to Cameroon in epidemic prevention and control materials has greatly alleviated the shortage of medical protective materials in Cameroon. China also assisted Cameroon in purchasing epidemic prevention and control materials. Chinese-funded institutions, enterprises, and overseas Chinese organizations have also taken action, donating money and materials to contribute to the fight against the epidemic.

　　The Cameroonian government and people have noted and appreciated China's heroic efforts in fighting the epidemic and its spirit of open cooperation. Facing the smear campaign against China by some politicians and media in the US and the West, Cameroon has remained vigilant and has not endorsed it. Recently, the US and the West have hyped up the so-called issue of "discrimination" against Africans in China. Cameroon has clearly stated that China's epidemic prevention and control measures and achievements have set an example for countries around the world in responding to the epidemic. Cameroon understands that China must take necessary measures to prevent the resurgence of the epidemic, knows that the relevant measures are applied equally and there is no discrimination, and has not received any reports from Cameroonian citizens in China about being discriminated against. China-Cameroon and China-Africa relations have withstood the test, and any attempts at sabotage are doomed to fail. Well-known Cameroonian journalists and internet celebrities have also written articles to explain the truth and point out that one should not blindly follow the instigation of some politicians and media in the US and the West.

　　The novel coronavirus is a common enemy of all mankind, without borders and without distinction of race. Only through unity and cooperation can countries ultimately defeat the epidemic. China will continue to work with Cameroon to meet the challenges and jointly build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

　　(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Cameroon)