Sing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador to Korea, "Relevant countries must make scientific decisions following WHO recommendations" (Update)

Newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Xing Haiming, is holding a press conference related to the novel coronavirus on the 4th at the main building of the Chinese Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] “The Chinese government is taking strong and effective measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). We hope that the relevant countries will make scientific decisions based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).”

Sing Haiming, the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Korea, stated this during a press briefing held on the morning of the 4th at the Chinese Embassy main building in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. He directly conveyed the Chinese government’s position on the Korean government’s limited foreigner entry ban, which began at midnight that day. The Korean government banned all foreigners entering from Hubei Province, the virus’s origin, to prevent the domestic spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). Earlier that day, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on the 3rd (local time) that there is no need to ban travel and trade to contain the novel coronavirus.

Ambassador Sing said, “The Chinese government is cooperating transparently and internationally,” adding, “I exchanged opinions with Director-General Ghebreyesus of WHO, and we have been evaluated as a model for transparent international cooperation.” While he declined to comment on the measures taken by Korea, he added, “Since WHO is the most authoritative international organization in the world, I think it would be appropriate to follow WHO’s recommendations.”

It is very unusual for a newly appointed ambassador to voluntarily hold a press briefing before the credential presentation ceremony. For a new ambassador to officially begin activities in the host country, they must submit the original credentials received from their home country’s head of state to the host country’s head of state. This move is interpreted as evidence of the very serious situation inside China due to the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Regarding this, he emphasized, “The Chinese government attaches great importance to responding to this novel coronavirus situation,” and “We are taking measures stronger than international norms.” He added, “Because China is taking strong and effective measures, the epidemic situation in other countries is relatively mild,” and “China has already established a system to overcome this situation.”

He also emphasized that China will closely cooperate with the Korean government regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus. As of midnight that day, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that the cumulative confirmed cases nationwide in 31 provinces reached 20,438, with 425 deaths. It has been about two months since the first confirmed case was reported in Wuhan on December 8 last year, marking the number of confirmed cases surpassing 20,000. Across China, confirmed cases increased by 3,235 and deaths by 64 in one day.

Ambassador Sing said, “The Chinese government is taking comprehensive and strict measures,” and “Since the two countries are friendly neighbors with close human exchanges, it would be appreciated if we understand and support each other.” He also said, “The Korean government and various sectors are actively supporting the Chinese people,” and “China expresses deep gratitude for this and the Chinese people will never forget this warm affection.”

I would like to explain the measures taken by China regarding this situation. The Chinese government attaches great importance to responding to the novel coronavirus situation. Since the outbreak, President Xi Jinping has prioritized the safety of the people and issued important and comprehensive instructions. Premier Li Keqiang personally visited Wuhan to oversee epidemic prevention work. The Chinese government has taken comprehensive and strict measures with a firm attitude responsible for the health of the people.

All measures taken by China are strong in accordance with international law and regulations. First, we are making every effort to treat confirmed patients and minimize severe cases and deaths. Second, we are strongly blocking the spread of the virus and epidemic through strict quarantine measures. Third, we have formed a national-level scientific research expert team to accelerate vaccine development and are properly reviewing and approving effective drugs for clinical use. Fourth, we have established a comprehensive government procurement system to properly supply medical materials and daily necessities. Fifth, we are strengthening international cooperation to share information openly, transparently, and to the maximum extent.

With these measures, the speed of epidemic spread to other countries has effectively slowed. We are protecting the safety and health of Chinese citizens and contributing to global public health efforts. This is the most critical time to prevent the spread of infection. China has developed virus detection reagents in a short time to quickly identify infected individuals. This is also one of the reasons for the rapid increase in confirmed cases.

Infected patients are receiving effective treatment. Since the beginning of the month, statistics have shown an important turning point. The number of recovered patients has already far exceeded the number of deaths. So far, 632 confirmed patients have been discharged after recovery, and the rate of increase in recovered patients continues to rise. Because China is taking strong and effective epidemic prevention measures, the epidemic situation in other countries is relatively mild, and overseas confirmed cases account for less than 1% of the total confirmed cases.

Among 159 foreign infected patients, only one death has occurred, a Chinese citizen from Wuhan who went to the Philippines. The infection status is under all possible prevention, control, and treatment. Professor Zhong Nanshan, a senior expert of the Chinese National Health Commission, analyzed that the epidemic situation will reach a decisive point within one to ten days and will be effectively controlled thereafter.

China believes it has a system capable of focusing and accomplishing great tasks. Recently, the Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, a specialized hospital for the novel coronavirus pneumonia built to respond to this infection, has been completed and put into operation. It will focus on treating confirmed novel coronavirus patients, so Wuhan patients will receive good treatment. We have confidence and determination to win the war against the epidemic. The Chinese government is cooperating internationally with an open, transparent, and responsible attitude. We promptly notified the WHO of the epidemic situation and released the virus genome sequence. We formed an expert team and conducted an on-site investigation in Wuhan.

The WHO Director-General also visited China, exchanged sufficient opinions, and conducted an on-site inspection. The Director-General positively evaluated China’s epidemic prevention work. The government’s emergency measures and open, transparent international cooperation have been highly praised as a model for epidemic prevention. Many national leaders, international organizations, and media personnel highly appreciate China’s effective response measures and believe China will unite to overcome the current difficulties. The Director-General said that the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern regarding the novel coronavirus was not because of distrust in China’s efforts but to protect countries with weak systems and prepare epidemic prevention measures. The Director-General stated that this is a challenge for all humanity, and countries worldwide should deepen cooperation without unnecessarily hindering international trade and movement.

As the largest and most authoritative organization in the field of global health, decisions should be made based on recommendations from relevant countries. China will continue to jointly safeguard global and regional public health security, implement comprehensive and strict measures, and promote all sectors’ work openly, transparently, and orderly.

We are now in a globalized era where the fate of each country is closely connected and interdependent. China and Korea are friendly neighbors with close human exchanges. There is a saying that just as relatives wish each other well, neighbors also hope for each other’s prosperity. As close neighbors, China and Korea should understand and support each other more. That would be appreciated.

Given the current epidemic situation, we must strengthen international cooperation to prevent the spread of infection, treat patients, and protect our people. The occurrence of an epidemic is unfortunate. While protecting our own citizens well, we should respond together with a scientific and objective attitude, empathizing with each other and helping one another. That would be appreciated.

China and Korea have maintained close communication continuously. Despite facing many difficulties, the Chinese side acknowledges that Korean residents have made great efforts to protect their health and safety, and China has provided full support and convenience for the evacuation of Korean residents.

What I especially want to emphasize is that the Korean government and various sectors are actively supporting the Chinese people. Just as a person sends firewood to someone in the snow, this has greatly contributed to the fight against the epidemic. China expresses deep gratitude for this, and the Chinese people will never forget this warm support. China will cooperate with the international community, including Korea, to jointly strengthen epidemic prevention efforts.

Finally, I want to emphasize that while the epidemic will affect some parts of the Chinese economy, this is temporary and short-term, and it will not change the fundamental trend of long-term improvement in the Chinese economy.

We will join hands with our Korean friends and work together to win this epidemic prevention battle. We expect to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields between China and Korea and promote peace, development, and prosperity in the region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.