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12/22/2024 05:31:21 pm

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China Vows to Support African Countries' Post-Ebola Recovery

China Vows to Support 3 African Nations’ Post-Ebola Recovery

(Photo : REUTERS/WU HONG/POOL) China's foreign minister Wang Yi has pledged China's support for the post-Ebola recovery of affected African countries.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday completed a three-day tour of West African countries most affected by the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus. During his short trip, Wang assessed the state of the national healthcare systems of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. He said China is willing to support the post-Ebola recovery of these nations as she had readily provided support during the fight against the deadly virus.

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China was one of the foremost countries to provide support to these three nations when they were grappling with Ebola. To date, China has contributed up to $123 million (over 750 million yuan) through monetary donations and other forms of support to Ebola-affected nations. Chinese authorities also dispatched a group of military medical officers and other health personnel to the areas most affected by the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that these three nations need about $696 million to rebuild their national healthcare systems.

Wang's discussions with officials from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea mostly centered on infrastructural development, healthcare, agriculture, mining and human resources.

In Sierra Leone on Saturday, Wang told President Ernest Bai Koroma that China is willing to contribute to the development of the country. He said China is ready to start training medics in rural parts of Sierra Leone to improve the country's health system. Wang congratulated Sierra Leonean authorities on behalf of President Xi Jinping for successfully bringing the Ebola outbreak under control.

In Liberia on Sunday, Wang told President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that China is ready to assist the country with her developmental priorities. He also underscored the importance of industrialization as well as developing Liberia human resources and infrastructure.

Before leaving Guinea on Monday, Wang held talks with President Alpha Conde during which he reiterated similar commitments. He said China would support the recovery of Guinea's economy by investing in infrastructural projects and helping solve the country's problems with water supply.

Wang's visit is one of the first official visits by a representative of one of the world super-powers to Ebola-affected countries since the outbreak of the virus. Experts say the visit underlines the growing ties between Africa and China.

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