China calls for coordinated intl response to Ebola outbreak

A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for a coordinated international response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa so as to contain the epidemic at an early date.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal at a Security Council emergency meeting on Ebola, during which the 15-nation body unanimously adopted a resolution determining that the outbreak "constitutes a threat to international peace and security."

"The international community should, with a greater sense of urgency, strengthen the coordination of its response and provide assistance to the affected countries as soon as possible," said Wang.

He noted the international community needs to take a long-term perspective, address both the symptoms and root causes, and increase investment and support to the medical and health services in the affected countries, so as to enhance their epidemic prevention capabilities.

"China supports the United Nations to play a leading and coordinating role in the international response to the Ebola outbreak," said Wang, stressing that the Chinese government and leaders attach great importance to the fight against the Ebola epidemic.

He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping announced Thursday an aid package of 200 million yuan (about $32.54 million) for West African countries to combat Ebola, including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

The Chinese government also dispatched a 59-member laboratory team on Tuesday to help Sierra Leone improve lab testing, he said.

Previously, China had sent medical supplies and 115 medical experts to Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau.