Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Epidemics Know No Borders... Korea's Suffering Is China's Suffering"

"To Fight Epidemics, Governments and People of Korea and China Must Share Suffering"
Unforgettable Remarks by President Moon: "China's Suffering Is Korea's Suffering"
Urgent Need to Establish Korea-China-Japan Hygiene and Quarantine Communication Cooperation System

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Chinese authorities emphasized that the governments of China and Korea must join forces to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded on the 27th during a regular briefing to a question about whether the COVID-19 quarantine measures strengthened for arrivals from Korea might affect the sentiments of the two countries' citizens, saying, "China wants to help Korea and is communicating closely."

Spokesperson Zhao said, "Epidemics have no borders," and added, "It is understandable that the Chinese people are concerned about the inflow of infection sources as the spread of COVID-19 accelerates recently in Korea." He continued, "However, to fight the epidemic, the governments and peoples of China and Korea must share the pain and cooperate."

He also mentioned, "We cannot forget President Moon Jae-in's remark that 'China's hardship is Korea's hardship,'" and noted, "The Korean government and various sectors of society have provided valuable assistance to China's epidemic prevention and control."

He further stated, "Korea's hardship is China's hardship," and said, "China, Japan, and Korea are very close neighbors and a community of shared destiny in responding to epidemic prevention. China must never be excluded from Korea and Japan's epidemic prevention processes."

He added, "In the current situation, China wants to establish an emergency system for hygiene and epidemic prevention communication and cooperation with both Korea and Japan," and urged, "We also hope to strengthen border quarantine and epidemic prevention measures through a joint prevention system with the two countries."