The Chinese Embassy in Pretoria said that thousands of South African students studying in the Asian country were safe, despite the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.
It said in a statement on Monday that China has sufficient capacity and resources to effectively respond to public health emergencies and ensure the safety of foreign nationals, including South African citizens in China, especially in Wuhan and the Hubei province.
It said to date, 19 foreigners in China have contracted the virus, and only one has died.
“Conducting self-quarantine in China was the safest and cheapest choice as well as the best way to protect the foreign citizens’ families and friends in their home countries”, according to the embassy.
It said the Chinese government had dedicated resources and was making every effort “in giving priority to protecting foreign nationals in China” from the novel coronavirus.
The mission, led by Ambassador Lin Songtian, said it was in contact with the education authorities in Wuhan and Hubei province daily, in a bid “to follow closely the situation of South African students”.
No South African students in China had been reported as infected by the virus, according to the embassy.
- African News Agency
