US 'spreading fear' over outbreak

Foreign Ministry says moves taken by Washington set 'very bad example'

The United States has been "creating and spreading fear" by "overreacting" to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Beijing said on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remark at a daily news conference, which was convened online.

Rebuking reports that China is shunning help from the US, Hua said the US government has not provided any substantive assistance to China so far.

"But the US was the first country to evacuate staff members from its consulate in Wuhan, the first to suggest partial withdrawal of its embassy staff in China, and the first to announce an entry ban for Chinese citizens after the World Health Organization made it clear that it doesn't recommend or even opposes travel and trade restrictions against China," she said.

China understands the reasonable measures that most countries have taken according to the WHO's advice, but the US, which has a powerful prevention capacity, is running counter to this by taking drastic measures, Hua pointed out.

The US moves have set "a very bad example", she added.

Since the outbreak, the Chinese government has taken the most comprehensive and strictest measures to prevent and control the disease, many of which far exceed the requirements according to the International Health Regulations of the WHO, Hua said.

China is doing all it can to contain the epidemic in the shortest time possible, and is confident about winning the fight, she said.

Since Jan 3, China has briefed the US 30 times about the development of the epidemic and measures taken in response, Hua said.

On Wednesday, China's National Health Commission invited the US to join the WHO's panel of experts, she said, adding that the US expressed appreciation for this.

China is cooperating with the WHO and the international community in an open, transparent and responsible manner, and will strengthen cooperation with countries, including the US, to fight the disease, she said.

Expressing her appreciation for the support that countries, organizations and individuals have provided to China since the outbreak, Hua said the items China needs the most are medical masks, protective clothing, goggles and other medical materials.

By Sunday noon, material assistance from South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Iran, Belarus, Indonesia and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund had arrived in China, according to Hua.

China attaches great importance to the safety of foreigners, especially those in Wuhan, Hubei province, the center of the outbreak, and has adopted effective measures to address their reasonable concerns, Hua said.

Hubei has opened a 24-hour hotline to answer inquiries related to the epidemic from foreigners who are in the province. The number is 027-87122256.

The province has also been updating on the epidemic and knowledge to prevent the disease on its official website and an official WeChat account Hubeiwaishi (account: hb2018wq).