On January 31st, 2020, H.E. Dr. Xiao Jianguo, Ambassador of China to Timor-Leste met with H.E. Dr. Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, to exchange views on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus epidemic.
Ambassador Xiao thanked Dr. Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares for his solicitude letter to H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister on the novel coronavirus epidemic, and briefed him on the latest development of the epidemic. After the outbreak, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council of China attache great importance to the prevention and control work. China has taken a highly responsible attitude to the safety and health of people's lives to adopt the most comprehensive and rigorous prevention and control measures, and advance the work with a scientific, orderly and targeted approach, so as to prevent the spread of the epidemic. The Chinese government has the confidence, ability and resources to win the fight against this epidemic. China is cooperating with the international community in an open, transparent and responsible manner, which is fully recognized by the WHO and the international community.
Ambassador Xiao stressed that the Chinese government pays much attention to daily life and health of Timorese students in China, and each relevant university has provided epidemic prevention assistance to foreign students, assigned teachers to contact with them and solve their problems at any time. It’s know that the 17 Timorese students in Wuhan are in good condition. For the current epidemic, neither WHO nor the Chinese side recommends evacuation, including international students.
Ambassador Xiao expressed his concern to Dr. Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares about the recent incidents that some Chinese and their shops in Timor-Leste were threatened or harassed because of rumors of novel coronavirus. He hoped that the Timorese side would take measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the overseas Chinese.
Dr. Dionísio da Costa Babo Soares said that the Timorese government appreciated the Chinese government's important efforts to prevent and control the epidemic, and thanked the Chinese Embassy in Timor-Leste for sharing the Timorese side with the latest development of the epidemic and providing relevant assistance to the Timorese students. He promised to coordinate relevant departments to protect Chinese citizens and their shops according to the law. As a fragile state, Timor-Leste is willing to communicate closely with China and strengthen bilateral cooperation on fighting the epidemic.