双语:团结合作,携手抗疫
发布时间:2020年06月05日
发布人:nanyuzi  

Pandemic: Solidarity and Cooperation Most Potent Weapon

团结合作 携手抗疫

 

Ambassador of China to Nigeria Dr. Zhou Pingjian

驻尼日利亚大使周平剑

 

May 12 2020

2020年5月12日

 

A goodwill Ambassador of Nigeria to China indeed, Mr. Echar Christopher Sunday. I am touched and moved by his story as China Daily reports on May 6.

尼日利亚商人伊查的确是位在华的亲善大使。《中国日报》5月6日报道了他的事迹,我看后颇受感动。

 

Echar, 43, who has been living in Guangdong province as a businessman for a decade, applied to become a volunteer in March, after local authorities called on residents, including foreigners, to help with the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic. He lives in Zhanjiang, a city 450 kilometers away from Guangzhou, the provincial capital. After his wife was approved as a volunteer, she helped Echar submit his application to the local foreign affairs authority. “My Chinese wife helped me a lot to become a volunteer,” he said. Zhanjiang has more than 1,900 foreign residents. Echar, among the first group of 46 volunteers involved in foreign affairs management in the city during the pandemic, said the volunteers can communicate in English, Japanese, Korean, French and Spanish. “The life here is easy, nice, less traffic and peaceful,” he said, adding that volunteering was a way to help contribute to building a cross-cultural society. In Zhanjiang, Echar exports Chinese goods including daily necessities and electrical products to Africa. He and his wife, who married in 2009, have two sons. “Zhanjiang is more like my second home. I am grateful that I had a chance to do something for the city,” he said. After days of online and offline training, Echar was given the job of raising awareness of ways to control COVID-19, including distributing brochures at the Zhanjiang airport and helping to take the temperature of passengers arriving in the city. “Some foreigners did not realize the importance of taking a nucleic acid test for the virus,” he said. After days of volunteer work, Echar said he realized it would be helpful to visit communities where many foreigners live to promote awareness of prevention and control methods. “In the fight against the disease, we should work together, no matter where we are from,” he said. Echar and his wife visited local communities, helping people from African countries to be more aware of regulations, policies and measures taken by the health authorities during the pandemic. “I am grateful to be trusted by African brothers and sisters. They open up about their life here and challenges. And I hope I’ll be of help to them,” he said. “More communication would help foreigners know more about Chinese culture. Moreover, it would help us to be more aware of prevention and control of the disease,” he said. On April 27, Echar wrote a letter to the city’s foreign affairs authority in appreciation for being given a chance to volunteer in the fight against COVID-19. And, Local officials invited Echar, his family and 35 foreign teachers and students on a tour of some scenic spots in Zhanjiang during the May Day holiday to show their appreciation for their contributions, according to China Daily.

伊查在广东生活十余年了,今年3月他响应当地号召,在中国妻子的帮助下成为一名抗击新冠肺炎疫情的志愿者。湛江有1900多名外国人,伊查是首批46个抗疫外事志愿者之一,这些志愿者可以讲英语、日语、韩语、法语和西班牙语。伊查说湛江就是他的第二故乡,很高兴能为这座城市做点事。经过培训,伊查在湛江机场为入湛人员测量体温,派发防疫须知。经过一段时间的志愿工作,他感到一些外国人并未意识到核酸检测病毒的重要性,认为走访社区可以有效提高外国人对防控措施的认识,无论来自何方,大家都应齐心协力抗疫。于是他和妻子走访当地社区,帮助非洲籍人士更好地理解有关防疫政策与措施,得到了他们的信任,发挥出促进沟通交流的积极作用。4月27日,伊查给湛江市外事写信,感谢给了他为抗疫作贡献的机会。当地政府为感谢他们的辛劳付出,“五一”假期邀请伊查一家和35名外籍师生同游湛江。

 

I had the privilege to receive a copy of Echar’s letter on April 28. A hand-written one, emanating understanding, solidarity and cooperation. I wish one day I could have the honour and pleasure to meet Echar, his Chinese wife and two sons, in Nigeria or in China. The number of families like Echar’s in Guangdong are in hundreds, I know. And I know there are many more excellent Nigerian goodwill Ambassadors like Echar in China.

我4月28日看到了伊查的感谢信。手写的,饱含着理解、团结与合作。希望有朝一日我能有机会当面见见伊查、他的中国妻子和两个儿子。像伊查这样的尼日利亚友好人士,在广东还有不少。

 

I would be remiss if I here don’t acknowledge Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda. He finally returned to Beijing on April 8, after having spent 14 days in quarantine in Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi province which is 500 kilometers away from Beijing. At that time, the international flight to Beijing he was onboard like many others were required to divert to other cities for landing. All the inconveniences for an Ambassador during 14-day quarantine outside Beijing could be imagined. “We have to abide by regulations for everyone’s sake,” the Nigerian Ambassador to China assured his hosts in plain words. Senior officials saw him off at the railway station to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude. I reached Ambassador Jidda for that, thanking him from the bottom of my heart.

在这我要感谢尼日利亚驻华大使吉达。他4月8日回到北京,之前在太原集中隔离了14天,当时飞往北京的国际航班被要求先降落到其他城市检疫入境。京外14天的隔离给大使可能带来的不便是可以想见的,但吉达大使说得很朴实,“我们都应遵守规定,这可是为大家好。”当地官员专门到火车站为他送行,感谢他充分理解与配合。我也就此事向吉达大使表达了谢意。

 

As one of the countries hit by the first wave in the pandemic, China was the first to bring COVID-10 under control. There must be something worth looking at. China has taken the most comprehensive, stringent and thorough measures to fight the virus. It works, albeit at huge cost.

作为第一批遭受疫情冲击的国家,中国最早遏制住了疫情发展。这不会是没有原因的。中国采取了最全面、最严格、最彻底的防控举措,尽管牺牲巨大,但行之有效。

 

Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province and then the epicenter of the epidemic, ended the lockdown on April 8 after being closed for 76 days from January 23. On April 26, Wuhan city had no remaining cases in hospital. On May 2, Hubei province lowered its public health emergency response level. On May 6, about 57,800 students in their final year from 121 high and vocational schools returned to campus. Now Wuhan is working hard on prevention and control on a regular basis and is promoting work and school resumption to let the society return to normal as soon as possible. Remarkable achievement, indeed.

武汉1月23日起封城,历经76天于4月8日“解封”,4月26日武汉在院患者已经清零,5月2日湖北省下调重大突发公共卫生事件应急响应级别,5月6日武汉市121所学校的57800名普通高中毕业生正式返校复课。当前,武汉正在努力抓好常态化疫情防控,积极推进复工、复产、复学,使社会生活尽快重回正轨。这的确是巨大的抗疫成就。

 

During the lockdown however, the city’s public transport operations were totally suspended and all contacts between the epicenter and the rest of the country were blocked off. Every one in Wuhan, Chinese or foreigner, in response to the government’s call, staying indoors and sacrificing normal lives in order to contain the spread of the virus, have borne the biggest burden and paid the biggest price.

然而,在疫情期间,武汉市切断公共交通,暂停与外界接触,市民无论中外足不出户,自觉放弃正常生活,为最大限度降低病毒蔓延速度作出了极大牺牲。

 

Of more than 3,000 African students in Hubei province and the city of Wuhan at the most difficult time, only one was infected and then quickly cured. The rest have all been safe and sound. 79 Nigerians (65 adults and 14 dependants), including 50 students, were then in Wuhan. No one got infected and I heard no complaints from them. Their full cooperation on the implementation of the most stringent measures to fight COVID-19 outbreak is highly appreciated. As one Nigerian student said, “We are foreigners, not strangers.” We are deeply touched by their understanding, solidarity and cooperation.

在前期中国疫情最严重的时候,在湖北和武汉的3000多名非洲留学生除1人感染并很快治愈外,其他人都安然无恙。79名尼日利亚在汉公民(65名成年人,14名未成年人),包括50名留学生,无一人感染,我也没听说过他们有任何抱怨。武汉当时为防控疫情采取了最严格的措施,我们感谢在汉尼日利亚朋友予以积极配合。他们的团结合作精神令人感动。

 

What happens in Guangdong recently is a similar story like Wuhan, in essence. All the measures taken there aim to fight against the COVID-19, not against any Nigerian, any African, or any foreign national.

最近在广东发生的事情本质上与武汉是一样的。当地采取的各项措施,都是为了有效防控疫情,绝非针对尼日利亚人、非洲人或是任何外国人。

 

Between April 5 and 23, altogether 138,700 residents in Guangzhou, including 5503 African nationals (3.97%), have been tested. Among them, 185 tested positive with 164 (88.5%) asymptomatic cases. Their understanding, cooperation and sacrifice has made every resident there safer.

4月5日至23日期间,总共有138700名在穗人员,包括5503名非洲籍人员接受了病毒检测,共发现了185名感染者,其中164人是无症状感染者。他们的理解、合作和牺牲让生活在那里的每一个人都更加安全。

 

Since April 12, the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou has been daily briefing Nigeria’s Consulate-General by note on the numbers of confirmed cases, test result positive cases, and close contacts, as far as Nigerian nationals are concerned.

自4月12日起,广州市外办每天照会尼日利亚驻广州总领馆,通报尼在穗公民确诊病例、阳性检测病例以及密切接触者等最新数据。

 

As for the issues raised regarding the situation of Nigerians in Guangdong involved in local outbreak response, the Guangdong authorities attach great importance to Nigeria’s concerns and work promptly to improve their working method. As far as I know, there is not a single complaint case outstanding from Nigerians in Guangdong at the moment. As of May 7, altogether 26 complaints were registered and resolved immediately. I’ve reviewed the 26 specific cases one by one. It is my assessment that all of them were caused by a lack of communication or misunderstanding. We thank all Nigerian brothers and sisters in China for bearing with us in such a trying time no one ever expected or wanted.

针对疫情防控中涉及尼日利亚人的一些问题,广东方面高度重视,迅速进行梳理排查,加紧改进完善工作方式。截至5月7日,全部26起投诉都得到了及时妥善解决。我本人逐一看过这26起投诉,发现尼日利亚侨民提出的诉求往往是因为沟通问题而出现的误会。疫情突如其来,谁都没有想到,谁都不想见到。我们感谢在华的尼日利亚朋友与我们共同克服困难。

 

All foreign nationals are treated equally in China. We reject any differential treatment, and we have zero tolerance for discrimination. Nothing whatsoever is changed in China’s policy of friendship towards Africa. China cherishes her strategic partnership with Nigeria. Nigerian friends can count on getting fair, just, cordial and friendly reception in China. The Embassy will stay in close communication with Beijing and the Guangdong authorities and continue responding to the Nigerian side’s reasonable concerns and legitimate appeals. We know there is always room for improvement.

中国政府对所有外国在华人员一视同仁,反对任何针对特定人群的差异性做法,对歧视性言行更是零容忍。中国对非友好的政策没有任何改变。中方珍视中尼战略伙伴关系。尼日利亚朋友在中国一定会得到公平公正、亲切友好的对待。我们将同有关方面保持沟通,积极回应尼方的合理关切和正当诉求。

 

A friend in need is a friend indeed. China will always remember the invaluable support it received from the government and good people of Nigeria, including those Nigerian brothers and sisters who chose to stay put in Wuhan, Guangzhou, or other parts of China, at the most demanding stage of its outbreak response.

患难见真情。在中方抗疫最困难的时候,尼日利亚政府和人民给予中方真诚理解支持,包括在华尼日利亚朋友同我们共抗疫情,我们对此牢记在心。

 

China has always adhered to its long-standing policy of friendship towards Africa. China and Africa are there for each other come rain or shine. The traditional friendship between us has stood the test of time and the changing international landscape. Our friendship is rock-solid and unbreakable. It will not be affected by any isolated incident, still less disrupted by forces trying to drive a wedge between us. At this particular juncture, China and Nigeria as well as other African countries need solidarity and cooperation more than ever if we are to overcome this common challenge together and build a community with shared future for mankind.

中国一贯坚持对非友好政策,双方是风雨同舟的好兄弟。中非传统友谊经历了历史和国际风云考验,坚如磐石、牢不可破,决不会因一时一事而受到影响,更不会被某些势力的挑拨离间所干扰。当前形势下,中国和尼日利亚以及非洲国家比任何时候都更需要相互信任、相互支持、团结一致、共克时艰,携手共建人类命运共同体。

 

Despite the daunting task remaining at home, China firmly supports Nigeria’s fight against the outbreak and stands ready to assist, if needed, to the best of its ability. Be it experience sharing or medical supplies delivery, China will continue to prove itself a good friend, partner, and brother of Nigeria through concrete actions. This joint battle against the COVID-19 pandemic will surely strengthen trust, cooperation and brotherhood between our two great nations and peoples.

中方坚定支持尼方抗疫,愿应尼方需要提供力所能及的帮助。中尼是好朋友好伙伴好兄弟,通过携手抗疫,双方政治互信、互利合作必将得到升华。