China to do best to help Guinea battle Ebola

CONAKRY -- Beijing stands ready to do its best with its capacity to help Guinea fight the ongoing Ebola outbreak, says China's ambassador to the West African country.

"The Chinese government supports the various efforts the Guinean government has made in Ebola prevention and control, and is ready to provide assistance within its capacity," Bian Jianqiang told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

China is the first country to provide emergency humanitarian aid for Guinea after the outbreak of Ebola, with the Red Cross of China offering $50,000 of aid in April. Later, China offered some $163,000 worth of medical supplies.

On Saturday, a new three-member Chinese medical unit tasked with helping Guinea dealing with the Ebola outbreak arrived in Conakry, along with China's 24th regular medical aid team.

China's assistance has been highly lauded by the Guinean government and people. Guinean Minister of International Cooperation Moustapha Sano said that the aid from China is filled with friendship and will strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

The Guinean Health Ministry said that the medical supplies China provided by chartered aircraft are most urgently needed and that the Guinean people really appreciate the help offered by the Chinese people.

"We hope to show our friendship in practical ways," Bian, the ambassador, said in the interview with Xinhua.

Commenting on the overall cooperation between China and Guinea, he said the two countries have great potential for broader and deeper cooperation.

Guinea is rich in natural resources, but still faces difficulties in food and power supply, while China is ready to help Guinea solve those problems, he said.

"Guinea regards China as its No 1 and most reliable cooperation partner, and particularly hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as agriculture, hydro power and infrastructure construction," added the ambassador.

As to China-Africa relations, Bian said that China and Africa have long been supporting and helping each other, and that with the growth of China's economy and national strength, China will do more and more to help Africa develop.

"China hopes that its own development will benefit that of Africa," he said.