BEIJING, April 23 (Xinhua) -- African political party leaders have spoken highly of China's support for Africa's fight against COVID-19 through concrete actions, and its emphasis on and protection of lives, health and lawful rights and interests of African citizens in China.
In messages sent to the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, they said the traditional friendship between China and Africa has withstood the test of time, and the two sides will build a closer China-Africa community with a shared future through the joint fight against the pandemic.
China's successful experience and practices in its COVID-19 fight, as well as its support in providing relevant supplies, have greatly helped Kenya in fighting the pandemic, said Secretary General of Kenya's ruling Jubilee party Raphael Tuju.
Tuju expressed deep appreciation of China's important contributions to the prevention and control of the pandemic in Africa and globally, as well as safeguarding the health and safety of all mankind. He also appreciated China's taking good care of Kenyan students studying in the country.
The secretary general noted that they are ready to work with China to continue fighting the pandemic and finally defeat it.
China's efforts in and contributions to the fight against COVID-19 were obvious to all, said Chris Matlhako, general coordinator of the South African Peace Initiative and Second Deputy General Secretary of the South African Communist Party.
As long as Africa and China join hands to strengthen cooperation in the epidemic prevention and control, and safeguard regional and global public health security, we will surely be able to win the final victory in defeating the pandemic, Matlhako said.
Jean-Claude Gakosso, minister for foreign affairs of the Republic of the Congo and a member of the political bureau of the Congolese Party of Labor, said that the deep friendship between the two sides has endured hardships and tests, adding that China has offered a helping hand to African nations while itself is still facing pressure to contain the COVID-19, contributing a great deal to Africa's fight against the epidemic.
He also said that his country firmly opposes some countries' attempts to hype specific problems in the anti-virus fight and to smear Africa-China friendship.
