Chinese in Italy urged to deal with unfolding outbreak rationally

China on Tuesday called on its citizens living, studying and working in Italy to deal with the novel coronavirus epidemic in a rational way and avoid the risk of cross-infection caused by out-of-order personnel transfer.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the remark at a regular press conference in Beijing when asked whether China has a plan to evacuate its citizens in one of the countries hit worst by the epidemic.

"The Chinese government highly values and cares about the safety and health of its citizens and our embassies and consulates in Italy have urged, many times, for the Italian side to take concrete measures to solve their relevant concerns," Geng said.

China will be closely monitoring epidemic development and take all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of its overseas citizens and their legitimate rights and interests, he said.

The spokesman also announced that a video conference attended by diplomats and public health officials and experts from China and 10 Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Tonga, was held on Tuesday to share information and experience on combating the coronavirus.

"China is willing to provide assistance within its capability to the Pacific Island countries to jointly win the battle against the epidemic and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind," Geng said.

On Monday, those at a meeting attended by ministers responsible for health in the Southern African Development Community commended measures taken by China and the World Health Organization to contain the epidemic outbreak.

Speaking at the press conference in response, Geng said that African countries and their people have firmly stood with China and expressed various kinds of support during China's fight against the virus.

"It is so touching that some countries in Africa have provided us financial and material assistance given their own limited conditions, which fully reflected the brotherhood between China and Africa," he said.

Given that African countries are still facing high risks of imported infections and some nations have reported confirmed cases, China is willing to provide support and assistance within its capability to jointly contribute to regional and global public health safety, Geng added.