On April 21, a joint online meeting sponsored by Tsinghua University and organized by China-Africa Leadership Development Institute (CALDI) of Tsinghua University was held between Tsinghua University and Africa-based Chinese organizations on the topic of anti-epidemic cooperation. The meeting was attended by more than 30 participants, including Yang Bin, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Kuang Weilin, former Chinese Ambassador to the African Union (“AU”), Professor Engida from the CALDI, and representatives from Chinese companies and chambers of commerce in Africa. Entrusted by Wang Tongzhou, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co., Ltd. (“CNMC”) and Chairman of the Holding Group, Fan Wei, Executive Director and Vice President of CNMC and Assistant General Manager of the Holding Group, attended the meeting.

The meeting was aimed to build a platform for school-enterprise cooperation to serve and guide Africa-based Chinese companies in anti-epidemic efforts and development. At the meeting, Vice President Yang Bin conveyed the important instructions given by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his recent inspection at the School of Medicine of Tsinghua University, who said that “Science is the best weapon to beat the epidemic”; Kuang Weilin, former Chinese Ambassador to the AU, revealed complexities of the current epidemic prevention and control work in Africa and the public opinion environment; Professor Engida introduced anti-epidemic experience in many countries and called on all parties to pour resources to support anti-epidemic efforts regardless of objections. Four professors from Tsinghua University explained the major challenges and impacts of the epidemic on public health in Africa, the development progress and prospects of vaccine for coronavirus, the social impact of the epidemic, and research on emergency management during the period of epidemic outbreak. Participants had an in-depth discussion on questions of common concern.
 

In his speech, Director Fan Wei introduced the important measures taken by CNMC for epidemic prevention and control, especially in the overseas context, as well as the serious actions taken by its funded companies for “all lockdown, small-scale isolation, same rules, and joint efforts” in Africa. He said that CNMC would resolutely follow the important instructions given by General Secretary Xi Jinping on strengthening international cooperation in epidemic prevention and control and would make good use of this platform built by Tsinghua University to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with its funded companies in Africa and contribute to the public health and safety in Africa and the wider world.
 

                                                    By Fu Jin