'You are our special friends'

Sierra Leone's President Ernest Bai Koroma says China has supported the country both in cash infusions and experts in the fight against the disease, adding that the Chinese have "come at a time when we needed them most". "You (China) have demonstrated to us that you are our special friends", he noted.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf extended thanks to China for its assistance. "We reached out to our partners and one of the first to respond was China because China sent an aircraft that brought in some of the first equipment, materials and medicine," she said.

South African President Jacob Zuma thanked China for its selfless assistance to Africa's development and the fight against Ebola when Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Zuma in Beijing on Dec. 4. He praised China as a sincere and trustworthy friend and partner of South Africa and the continent.

Cote d'Ivoire's Foreign Minister Charles Koffi Diby expressed gratitude for China's aid in cash and services to Western African countries, including Cote d'Ivoire. He said that China's assistance has greatly strengthened the countries' capacity to fight the disease and lifted African people's confidence in winning the battle against the epidemic. Diby said China's sincere, rapid and effective assistance is an important reason that his country has yet to be hit by Ebola.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said China's aid has effectively shored up the fight against Ebola in the affected areas and boosted the confidence of the people there in tackling the epidemic. He said the UN is ready to keep close communication and cooperation with China on this issue.

Xinhua

(China Daily Africa Weekly 02/20/2015 page6)