Reuters:
I have two questions. First, military camps are home to large concentrations of people, why have there been no cases of coronavirus infection in the camps? What kinds of measures has the military taken to keep the virus off the camps and how do these measures differ from those targeted at civilians? Second, why did the Chinese government only send troops to Hubei province at the end of January? Thank you.
Chen Jingyuan:
Regarding the first question, the Chinese military has dedicated itself to the epidemic prevention and control work in accordance with the overall national plans and arrangements, which coordinate efforts all over the country "as if on a single chessboard." Meanwhile, we have strengthened unified leadership and command to seek higher unity in our action, and enhanced coordination in performing tasks related to epidemic prevention and control. Under the unified command and deployment of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and Chairman Xi, we have tightened measures to prevent the epidemic in the military according to the unified national requirements on epidemic prevention and control. Such measures include organizing knowledge training related to epidemic prevention and control for military personnel, restricting off-camp activities and exchanges, as well as minimizing large gatherings. In addition, we have adjusted training and work schedules to reduce group activities. These strong, orderly and effective measures have created a good order of training and daily life for military personnel and helped them maintain combat readiness. Thank you.
Hu Kaihong:
As Mr. Chen has introduced, the armed forces sent the first batch of personnel to combat the epidemic as early as Jan. 24.
Wu Qian:
As for the second question, Mr. Chen has already given the answer. Whether the armed forces send personnel to aid epidemic prevention and control depends on the overall national arrangement and the epidemic situation. The first group of military medics was dispatched on Jan.24.
CCTV:
I have two questions. First, in the battle to contain the epidemic, frontline medical workers are facing heavy burdens, high infection risks, as well as huge physical and mental pressure. How are the military medics who were sent to Hubei doing in this regard? Second, more than 2,000 Chinese medical workers have been confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus. Have any infections occurred among the military medics sent to Hubei? Thank you.
Chen Jingyuan:
The current outbreak is still very serious and complicated, and the epidemic prevention and control work is entering an important phase. For medical staff that are fighting on the frontline, the best respect we can pay them is to learn from their moving stories and their selfless spirit, and combine our resolution and faith to win this battle. Faced by the epidemic, military medics submitted written requests to go to the frontline one after another so as to take part in rescuing patients. As one military medic said, "CPC members should lead the battle and servicemen should fight on the frontline" Some of our medical staff are sticking to the frontline and working continuously, with some even being couples fighting against the epidemic together. Some have postponed their wedding ceremonies, and many retired military medics have also requested to fight on the frontline in Wuhan. That is why patients call our staff "those we trust with our lives."
As for your second question, Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, is very concerned with our staff participating in the epidemic prevention and control, paid high attention to their protection and asked for support and guarantees from all sides. Military support teams sent to Wuhan have resolutely implemented Xi's instructions and requirements, respecting rules and science, and adhering to scientific prevention and control methods. They strictly follow procedures and standards of hospitals for infectious diseases as they carry out medical treatment. The medical staff take level-3 protection measures. Our specialists and experts supervise the protection work strictly, so, up to now, none of our medical staff have been infected. Taking Huoshenshan Hospital as an example, the hospital has focused on fine protection. We selected experts to form the supervision group, and guided special personnel to monitor and establish strict procedures for medical treatment, prevention and control. We provided safety and protection training for our staff and are increasing supervision levels in all aspects. At the same time, we also pay attention to ensuring they have necessary rest, conscientiously do the work of providing them with adequate daily necessities and psychological counseling to help relieve the stress and regain strength, so that they can get back to work at their best to win the battle with zero infection. Thank you.
