Foreign Ministry urges other nations to assist Chinese nationals

The Chinese embassies and consulates have been operating normally in countries seriously hit by the novel coronavirus epidemic, said Cui Aimin, director-general of the Foreign Ministry's Department of Consular Affairs at Sunday’s news conference.

The missions have urged governments of the countries to take effective measures to address health and security issues of the Chinese citizens there, Cui said. They have asked local governments in these countries to provide necessary help to Chinese citizens who are stranded due to the epidemic, he said.

The missions have also urged airline companies to offer detour and reissue services to the Chinese people and help bring them back home, according to Cui.

The embassies and consulates are following closely the situation of Chinese citizens abroad who were diagnosed with the disease, and have required the countries these people are in to provide help and treatment, Cui said.

China has dispatched 10 flights to bring back more than 1,300 citizens, he said, adding that it has also helped the governments of the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao bring back about 200 people from the cruise ship Diamond Princess.

Also, the Foreign Ministry has ensured the efficient operation of the 24-hour consular service hotline of 12308 since the epidemic outbreak, Cui said.