Guangzhou reaching out to fight virus

Local government agencies and institutions have been working with foreign organizations and individuals in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, in the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Thirteen volunteer teams have been helping 41 foreigner service stations in Guangzhou in the effort, with multilingual online and offline guidance and updates issued through multiple channels, said Deng Changxiong, deputy director of the city's foreign affairs office, at a news conference in Guangzhou on Friday.

Anti-epidemic support for schools with expat students was provided, he said, adding thatforeign-invested companies have donated 202.29 million yuan ($28.86 million) and supplies to the city for epidemic control.

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Guangzhou Council issued a force majeure certificate related to the epidemic for a Germany-invested company based on documents uploaded online on Feb 3.

The certificate helps the company prevent daily losses of $12,000 from delayed delivery charges, said Liu Zewu, vice-president of the council, adding that the city and district committees of CCPIT in Guangzhou have issued 106 such certificates.

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China, which has more than 2,300 members, has reported no cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia among its staff and members, said its president Harley Seyedin.

"Our safety has been guaranteed and protected with the actions of the Guangzhou city government. We are very happy and grateful for the success and the assistance we have received," Seyedin said.

All the members are now operational and their capacity continues to grow on a daily basis, with full capacity expected in a very short period of time, he said.