Remarks by Ambassador Hua Ning at the Welcome Ceremony of Chinese Medical Expert Team to South Sudan

Your Honorable Elizabeth Acuei Yol, Minister of Health,

Respected Members of Chinese Medical Expert Team to South Sudan,

Ladies, gentlemen, friends,

Good morning. August 19 is China's Medical Workers' Day, today I am very happy to welcome the Chinese Medical Expert Team to South Sudan and handover the newly arrived medical donations for South Sudan.

At the critical moment of the global fight against the COVID-19, while addressing the the 73rd World Health Assembly and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit On Solidarity Against COVID-19, Chinese President, H.E.Xi Jinping announced a series of important commitment on China’s cooperation with the international community especially African countries in fighting the pandemic, China always means what it said, delivers what it promised. At the request of the South Sudanese government, the Chinese government decided to send a Chinese Medical Expert Team to South Sudan. This is a concrete action to implement the results of relevant conferences and promote the China-Africa community of shared health. We will never forget the strong solidarity and support South Sudan has extended to China at the most difficult time of our battle against the pandemic. The Chinese expert team has traveled far and wide, bringing the friendship of the Chinese government and people to the government and people of South Sudan, which embodies the lofty international humanitarian spirit, and demonstrates the firm determination of the two countries to join hands in fighting the pandemic.

COVID-19 is still affecting many parts of the world, which means fighting against the COVID-19 is a long and protracted battle. We must always put people and their lives front and center. We must observe the preventive measures, mobilize necessary resources, stick together in collaboration, and do whatever it takes to protect people's lives and health and minimize the fallout of COVID-19.

The Chinese Medical Expert Team to South Sudan is composed of 8 medical experts from Anhui Province, including experts in the fields of respiration, infection, intensive care, public health, laboratory testing and nursing. They have all fought on the front line of China's anti COVID-19 battles, and have excellent professional skills and rich practical experience. During their 9 days stay in South Sudan, they will share knowledge and experience with South Sudan government ministries, medical institutions and relevant international organizations, visit health facilities, host training programs for South Sudanese medical staff, assist to evaluate the pandemic situation and improve South Sudan's response capacity. They will also discuss the cooperation between paired-up Chinese and South Sudanese hospitals with the Ministry of Health and Juba Teaching Hospital to support the development of health services in South Sudan. It is expected that all sectors of South Sudan will give strong support to the work of the expert team.

The virus knows no borders or race. It is the common enemy of mankind which requires the solidarity of international community to fight against it. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19, China has provided assistance to more than 150 countries and 4 international organizations, unreservedly shared China’s prevention and treatment experience with the world. Today this chartered flight brings new batches of medical supplies donated by the Chinese government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anhui Province and Shandong hi-speed company to help South Sudan fight the pandemic, including ventilators, oximeters, medicines and personal protective equipments. So far, the Chinese side has provided more than ten batches of medical aid to South Sudan. The eighth batch of Chinese Medical Team to South Sudan (15 members) also arrive in Juba on this flight and they will replace the seventh batch of Chinese Medical Team. Currently South Sudan is heavily burdened with the dual challenges of the spread of COVID-19 and the plunge of international oil prices. While supporting South Sudan’s epidemic control, China will continue to implement the key cooperation projects in energy and infrastructure, promote the economic recovery and development of South Sudan, provide further humanitarian assistance and support the South Sudan peace process. Today, on the same flight, staff members from CNPC, China Harbor and Shandong Hi-speed, coming in the harm’s way, will tide over the difficulties with the people of South Sudan.

Sturdy grass withstands high winds, true friendship stands the test of adversity. China and South Sudan have been together through thick and thin over the years. Looking forward to the future, China is willing to further strengthen exchanges between the two sides in disease control and capacity building in the health sector, deepen our cooperation in all fields under the FOCAC and "belt and road" initiatives, to bring more benefit to the peoples of the two countries.

Thank you.