China, by implementing strict quarantine in the city of Wuhan, on January 23 this year, in addition to other surrounding cities, and other restrictive measures with greater or lesser restriction on social isolation in other regions of the country, prevented 700,000 cases of infection by the new coronavirus until February, according to the adviser minister of the Chinese Embassy in Brazil, Qu Yuhui. He spoke to journalists through an online conference on Friday afternoon about the Chinese experience of fighting the disease and the importance of the Sino-Brazilian relationship.
The diplomat highlighted the effort, responsibility and sacrifice of the Chinese population to control the disease in the country. On April 8, Wuhan, COVID-19’s first epicenter, opened transport networks again, and most companies and workers have resumed activities. Qu stressed that there is still nothing to celebrate, and there will be no end to the epidemic until the last country overcomes the disease, regardless of how many countries adopt appropriate measures or not. According to him, it is not yet time to relax.
For the minister-adviser, China and Brazil have a lot to cooperate, and the main task at the moment is the fight against COVID-19, but concertation in relation to macroeconomic policies and in areas of trade and investment are essential, especially in the later period to the pandemic. “Our economies are very complementary, we have daily and strategic needs to foster cooperation. It is important to add bricks to this construction, instead of removing the foundations of this building, or even damaging it”, compared Qu.
“We respect Brazil’s foreign policy very much, which has always been focused on balance, diversity and independence, and we hope this will continue. We will always treat Brazil as a strategic partner and a friendly country,” said the diplomat.
RACIST ATTACKS CONCERN
Racist attacks targeting China or the Chinese are of concern, says the minister-adviser. According to him, even though the first outbreak of the new coronavirus was registered in China, the origin of the virus is still being researched. In addition, the diplomat recalls, both the international community and the World Health Organization (WHO) are opposed to the association of a virus with a particular country or region, in order to avoid politicization or stigmatization.
In Brazil, says Qu, although there are xenophobic attacks directed at China, especially on social networks, he believes that this opinion does not represent the majority of the Brazilian population. Regarding racist statements coming from members of the government and politics, such as the case of the Brazilian Minister of Education, Abraham Weintraub, the diplomat believes that this is not the time for irresponsible statements, but that the Sino-Brazilian relationship has been built for generations and today solid and mature.
“Not only now, but in the future, the Sino-Brazilian partnership will remain important for both countries. We are very sorry that people do not want to cooperate in this current context. We will not stop working, and we will preserve the achievements already achieved, in addition to we attack conspiracy theories, “Qu said of the Chinese stance.
The minister-adviser recalled that China respects Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who spoke by telephone three weeks ago with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to him, there was agreement on several aspects, including making joint efforts to combat COVID-19. “We believe that this is the official position of the Brazilian government,” stated Qu.
CHINESE AID ABROAD
Qu points out that all countries must unite in battle with a common enemy, COVID-19. At the moment, informs the diplomat, the Chinese government is assisting 127 countries and four international organizations, donating or selling personal protective equipment, test kits and equipment, such as respirators.
Today, the diplomat said, 70 nations and entities are negotiating the purchase of hospital supplies with China. When it comes to respirators, China is responsible for producing one in five of this type of equipment in the world. The most sophisticated respirators, known as invasive respirators, are produced by only 21 companies in China that, on average, can make 1,000 devices each month. However, these depend on parts coming from abroad, especially from the European Union, which, like the USA, has banned exports of this equipment and its supplies.
“There is a problem in the global value chains, in the supply of inputs. The Chinese government has supported the development of national parts for use in respirators, but it takes time. In addition, the labor used to constitute these respirators is also specialized, and there are not many trained professionals, “explained Qu, who said that orders for new respirators are being received for delivery only in October. He ensured that there is no preference for buyers, and that deals are made directly with private companies. The Chinese government, however, offers a list of suppliers that, in addition to being suitable, obey the standards of different countries in the manufacture of equipment. The Embassy in Brazil is assisting both the Ministry of Health and the Brazilian state governments in relation to suitable suppliers and distributors and can assist in some cases in which bureaucratic obstacles arise in matters such as logistics and transport.
So far, 13 Chinese medical teams have traveled to 11 countries to advise local doctors. Through videoconference, another 70 teams met with health professionals from 150 countries or international organizations, four of which with Brazil. The South American country has also received donations or will receive hospital supplies from 15 Chinese companies. There are 10 provinces or municipalities in China that have already sent or are preparing donations to their sister Brazilian states or municipalities.
THE CHINESE EXPERIENCE WITH THE QUARANTINE
“We are facing a very dangerous and unknown disease. Perhaps we only know 10% about COVID-19, and in this circumstance, care is never too much,” said Qu. According to him, the quarantine initiated in Wuhan ensured that China and the world gained time to study the pandemic, making it an essential tool. “Our lesson is that it is possible to make disease control and socio-economic development compatible,” believes the minister-counselor.
For him, the government has an essential role in the process, guaranteeing comprehensive and systematic measures that guarantee the implementation of disease control and turnover of the economy. The population needs “respect and a greater sense of discipline. It does not help that 90% of the population quarantine, if 10% do not, it nullifies the efforts of others”, says the diplomat.
He pointed out that China is still cautious about drugs to cure COVID-19, and the only consensus is that there is not a single drug that has been proven safe or efficient. Regarding vaccines, the USA and China lead research in the area. “China started testing human beings three weeks ago, but it is not known when it will be ready. It takes from one year to one and a half years for a vaccine to be launched on the market. In addition to national efforts, there are many efforts of joint research in this area, including China and the USA, “said the diplomat.
