[Full Text] Xing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador to Korea, "Will not highly evaluate South Korea's measures"... "Close neighbors Korea and China, deep gratitude for support"

Ambassador Sing: "Scientific decisions must be made based on WHO recommendations from related countries"... Korean government enforces 'restricted entry ban' on foreigners from 0:00 on the 4th
Ambassador Sing mentions "Effective control of novel coronavirus expected after 7-10 days"
Also emphasizes "China's economy will remain in a long-term recovery phase"

Sing Haiming, the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Korea, is holding a press conference related to the novel coronavirus on the 4th at the main building of the Chinese Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Sing Haiming (邢海明), the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Korea, held a press briefing on the morning of the 4th at the main building of the Chinese Embassy in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, and regarding the Korean government's measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), he said, "I will not evaluate much," adding, "I think the relevant countries should make scientific decisions based on the recommendations of the authoritative World Health Organization (WHO)."

Furthermore, he said, "Professor Zhong Nanshan, a senior expert from the Chinese high-level expert team, has analyzed that the epidemic situation will peak within 7 to 10 days and then be effectively controlled," while adding, "recently, the Wuhan Huoshenshan (火神山) specialized hospital for novel coronavirus pneumonia, built in response to this infection outbreak, has been completed and has officially started operation,” he said.

Earlier, the Korean government banned entry of all foreigners coming from Hubei Province, the virus origin, starting from midnight on the same day to prevent the domestic spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

☞ The following is the full text of the press briefing by Sing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador to Korea.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the response to this novel coronavirus infection outbreak. Since the outbreak, President Xi Jinping has prioritized the lives and health safety of the people and has issued important and comprehensive instructions multiple times.

Premier Li Keqiang serves as the head of the Central Leading Group for Novel Coronavirus Infection Response and personally visited Wuhan to guide epidemic prevention work. The Chinese government has taken the most comprehensive and strict measures with a firm attitude of responsibility for the people's health. Many of the measures China has taken are stronger than the requirements of the .

First, we are making every effort to treat confirmed patients and minimize severe cases and deaths. Second, we are strongly blocking the spread of the virus and epidemic through strict quarantine measures. Third, we have formed a national-level scientific research expert team to accelerate vaccine development and are quickly reviewing and approving the clinical use of effective drugs.

Fourth, we have established a comprehensive nationwide procurement system to timely supply medical staff, medical materials, and daily necessities. Fifth, we are strengthening international cooperation by openly and transparently sharing information with WHO and related parties in a timely manner.

These measures have achieved positive results and effectively slowed the spread of the epidemic to other countries. This not only protects the safety and health of the Chinese people but also contributes to global public health efforts.

Currently, this is the most critical period for preventing the spread of infection. China developed virus test kits in a short time to quickly identify infected individuals. This is also one of the reasons for the rapid increase in confirmed cases. Currently, infected patients are receiving effective treatment.

Entering early February, statistics show an important turning point, with the number of recovered patients already exceeding the number of deaths. So far, 632 confirmed patients have been discharged after recovery, and the rate of increase in recovered patients continues to rise.

Because China has taken strong and effective epidemic prevention measures, the epidemic situation in other countries is relatively mild, and overseas confirmed cases account for less than 1% of the total confirmed cases. Among 159 foreign infected cases, there has been only one death, a Chinese citizen from Wuhan who went to the Philippines. The infection status is manageable with prevention, control, and treatment.

Professor Zhong Nanshan, head of the senior expert team of the Chinese National Health Commission, has analyzed that the epidemic situation will peak within 7 to 10 days and then be effectively controlled.

China has the institutional advantage of concentrating efforts to accomplish great tasks. Recently, the Wuhan Huoshenshan (火神山) specialized hospital for novel coronavirus pneumonia, built in response to this infection outbreak, has been completed and officially started operation.

This specialized hospital is intended to focus on treating confirmed COVID-19 patients, so patients in Wuhan will receive better treatment. We have the ability, confidence, and determination to win this war against the epidemic.

The Chinese government is actively cooperating internationally with an open, transparent, and responsible attitude. We promptly notified WHO and related parties of the epidemic situation and shared the virus gene sequence. WHO formed an expert team and conducted an on-site investigation in Wuhan.

WHO Director-General Tedros also visited China and exchanged opinions. Director-General Tedros positively evaluated China's epidemic prevention work. The Chinese government took emergency measures, maintained open and transparent international cooperation, and was highly praised as a model for epidemic prevention.

Many heads of state, international organizations, and media figures have highly praised China's effective response measures and expressed that they will unite closely with China to overcome the current difficulties. Director-General Tedros stated that declaring the novel coronavirus a "PHEIC" was not because of distrust in China's efforts and measures but to protect countries with weaker health systems and recommend strengthening prevention and control measures.

Director-General Tedros said this epidemic is a challenge faced jointly by all humanity, and countries should avoid discrimination and there is no reason for unnecessary restrictions on international travel and trade.

WHO is the largest and most authoritative organization dealing with and coordinating health issues within the United Nations, so relevant countries should make scientific decisions based on WHO's recommendations.

China will continue to work with WHO and countries worldwide to safeguard global and regional public health security. We will respond comprehensively and strictly to the situation and promote various sectors openly, transparently, and orderly.

We now live in a globalized era where the fate of countries is closely connected and shared. China and Korea are friendly neighbors with close human exchanges. There is a saying, "Just as relatives wish well for each other, neighbors also wish well for each other." As close neighbors, China and Korea should understand and support each other more.

In the current epidemic situation, we must prevent the spread, treat patients, protect citizens, and strengthen international cooperation. The outbreak is unfortunate. While protecting our own citizens well, we must respond together with a scientific and objective attitude, empathizing and helping each other.

China and Korea have maintained close communication. Despite facing many difficulties, China has made great efforts to protect the health and safety of Korean residents and supported and facilitated the evacuation of Korean residents.

What I especially want to emphasize is that the Korean government and various sectors actively support the Chinese people. Like "sending firewood to someone in the snow," they have greatly empowered our fight against the epidemic.

China expresses deep gratitude for this and the Chinese people will never forget this warm kindness. China will cooperate with the international community, including Korea, to jointly strengthen epidemic prevention efforts.

Finally, I want to reiterate that this epidemic situation will have some impact on the Chinese economy, but it is temporary and transient, and it will not change the fundamental trend of long-term improvement in the Chinese economy.

We will join hands with Korean friends to work together, fight, and win this epidemic prevention battle. We also look forward to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and Korea to promote regional peace, development, and prosperity.