KINSHASA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The second Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team arrived in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Friday to carry forward international cooperation in Ebola prevention and control.
Luku Maleyo Marius, a representative of the DRC health ministry, welcomed the team at the airport.
The friendship between the DRC and China spans more than half a century, with particularly fruitful cooperation in the health sector, he said, noting that high-level health cooperation between the two countries has effectively helped the DRC strengthen its public health capacity.
According to Marius, the current Ebola outbreak in the country remains complex and the DRC government looks forward to continued strong support from the second Chinese expert team in its epidemic response.
Gu Zhiqiang, head of the second Chinese expert team, said the team will start work as soon as possible and work closely with Congolese health authorities and professional institutions.
The team will provide technical exchanges and support in epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing, case treatment, infection prevention and control, and personnel training, contributing Chinese expertise to the DRC's efforts to improve its epidemic prevention, control, and treatment capacity, Gu added.
On Thursday, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi expressed gratitude to friendly countries and international organizations, including China, for backing the DRC in its fight against Ebola.
Epidemics do not recognize borders, Tshisekedi said in Kinshasa, urging collective action to protect people in all countries effectively. ■