Chinese envoy says all Pakistani students safe, sound

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing Monday said that all Pakistani students in Wuhan, China, are safe and sound and they are being well attended and looked after.

In a series of tweets on Monday following a video of the Pakistani students in Wuhan went viral on the social media urging Pakistani government to evacuate them as soon as possible, the Chinese ambassador said that the Chinese government and the Pakistan's Mission in Beijing are following the situation and providing assistance to the Pakistani students and local citizens.

"Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China, the Chinese government and Pakistani government are working closely to manage the situation," Ambassador Yao said, adding that currently there are more than 500 students and citizens of Pakistan in Wuhan and "they are safe and sound." He said they are being well attended and looked after by the local government of the province as well as the central government.

He said that Pakistani Embassy in Beijing is also following the situation and providing assistance to the Pakistani students and citizens in Wuhan. "Right now, the Chinese government and the Pakistani government are in close coordination to extend all the due and necessary assistance for their life, study and stay in China," he said.

He said that the two sides are also following the Chinese community in Pakistan, adding, "We have found three suspicious cases but there is no confirmed case of this virus in Pakistan."

"We appreciate the Pakistani government, in particular the Ministry of Health, in monitoring the situation very closely. And both the governments of China and Pakistan are exchanging and sharing information regarding possible medical assistance and preparations," the ambassador said.

"We believe with the understanding and support of the Pakistani nation, the Chinese government and people will have the confidence, determination to overcome this temporary difficulty. And we will have the normal life very soon," the Chinese ambassador expressed the optimism.

In a statement on Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Islamabad is in constant touch with the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, adding that there are around 500 registered students in Wuhan, while the number of non-registered students is between 500 and 800.

He said that China has banned movement in areas affected by the virus; however, "as per our information, no Pakistani has been infected with the coronavirus."

For the non-registered Pakistanis, he said, Pakistan's Embassy in Beijing has deputed two officers for their registration whose contact details have been posted on the embassy's website.

"We are in constant contact with our Embassy in China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing and Chinese embassy in Pakistan. We have also approached the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing on a complaint of food shortage. However, the Chinese authorities said that they are sending three times meals to them," he added.

"All precautions are taken. So, there is no need to be panic and the situation requires remaining careful. Chinese authorities are fully cooperating with us. We need their help to secure the lives of our citizens. We have to deal with this situation together," Qureshi added.

In a video message, Pakistan's Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi said that no Pakistani national residing in China has so far been affected by the coronavirus. She said that Pakistan's Embassy in China is in constant touch with the Chinese authorities and is monitoring the situation.

She said the embassy is also trying its best to remain in touch with the Pakistani nationals who can contact the mission or the consulate officials in different parts of China at any time.

She said that Chinese authorities are using all available resources to check the spread of the virus, adding that screening is being done at all the important places including airports and railway stations.

Earlier, a video of the Pakistani students went viral on the social media about their purported hardships that they are facing following the outbreak of the coronavirus. They also urged Pakistani government to make early arrangements for their evacuation from the affected areas.