Chongqing -  At present, Chongqing is in a critical stage to fight against the novel coronavirus. Chongqing has issued a series of practical measures to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic. iChongqing conducted exclusive interviews with ex-pats in Chongqing and representative from Chongqing Foreign and Overseas Affairs Office (CQFAO) on Feb. 4 to share their life and suggestions during this special period.

Impressed by Chinese people's reactions to the outbreak

George comes from Yerevan, Armenia, and he has lived in Chongqing for two years. He expressed his impression on the unity of Chinese people, the speed of announcements that the government releases, the project of hospitals in Wuhan, which he finds incredible. He also stated that the government's control over the transport, food stores, and products of first necessities, how the officials follow up with the market prices not to let an increase is also commendable.

Cheppy, an ex-pat in Chongqing comes from the Netherlands, indicated a similar perspective, he was amazed by how such a big country managed to control the virus and its citizens under control. "The Chinese citizens are very cooperative and united, which other countries lack. That is why China progress and improve so fast in a short period of time," he said.

Oscar, also an ex-pat who has lived with his Chinese family in Chongqing for three years, originally comes from Cuba. He said, "I am proud of China and the Chinese people."

Official channels to get information

George, Cheppy, and Oscar said they get information and news updates mainly from WeChat. George indicated that almost all the people that have contacted him think that the situation is very bad without food, no supply, mainly because of the coverage in western media. He responded that there is a lot of fake news, unreliable information, and the situation is not as bad as they think. "The government tries it's best to contain the virus and decrease the problems; I praise the efforts of the government and the people," he said.

Cheppy stated that people might misunderstand updates and articles, which can lead to fear and panic. Therefore, they have difficulties following a reliable channel.

Oscar also tried to explain the real situation to his friends as well.

CQFAO: Timely News Updates

iChongqing also interviewed a representative from CQFAO, and she concluded that CQFAO's news platform on WeChat had released 60 articles that relevant to the epidemic. They have a daily selection of national and city latest epidemic data, important manuscripts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chongqing Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, relevant municipal departments, and authoritative media platforms, spreading the latest situation of the epidemic through graphics, videos, and texts.

The WeChat account Chongqing Foreign Affairs (重庆外事）has daily updates on the epidemic in Chinese, English, Korean, and Japanese. It also reposted National Immigration Administration's answers to immigration for the management during the prevention and control of new coronary pneumonia and Public Prevention of Pneumonia Caused by Novel Coronavirus, and A Letter to All Foreign Friends in Chongqing got 14317 hits. More importantly, it provides a counseling service hotline for foreigners in Chongqing during the pneumonia epidemic of new coronavirus infection, and offers first-hand epidemic data and living information for embassies and consulates in Chongqing.  

To conclude, George is confident that in the future that the virus will soon be defeated. Oscar said that non-Chinese people should know the real situation of current China and what the government is doing. Cheppy shared his perspective in his WeChat moments: Put your trust in China. They will come up with a vaccine soon.

Hotlines for Foreign Nationals in Chongqing During the Pneumonia Epidemic Caused by the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of Chongqing Municipal Government: Zhang Can, Tang Yue 18983632200

Yuzhong District FAO: Zhou Qian 18908327731

Yubei District FAO: Wang Congcong 13436087067

Beibei District FAO: Ma Yahua 13658380143

Shapingba District FAO: Qiu Fengya 13310247666

Nan'an District FAO: Li Ran 13637778420

Ba'nan District FAO: Yu Jialing 17702330668

Wanzhou District FAO: Chen Meihong 13896941573

Wulong District FAO: Yu Yan 18315139340

Dazu District FAO: Wang Kangdong 19921315330

Medical Service Hotlines for Foreign Nationals in Chongqing

Chongqing Municipal Health Commission: Yang Bin 13983713238

First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: Jia Bei 18996057408

Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University: Jiang Depeng 15922666878

Hotlines for International Students and Teachers in Chongqing

Chongqing Municipal Education Commission: Liu Qian 13637892499

Hotlines for Foreign-invested Enterprises in Chongqing

Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce: Chen Changhua 13896200076, Guan Yuan 18696506127