The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, Tang Zhongdong, confirmed in a briefing at the President Hotel in Bloemfontein on Wednesday that there are 62 Free State bursary recipients studying in Hubei province, with the vast majority of this number in Wuhan, which has been identified as the epicentre of the deadly Coronavirus. In total, there are about 144 Free State students studying in China. 

The virus has thus far claimed the lives of over 2000 people, with over 75 000 infected to date.

Of the 62 Free State students in Hubei province, some are being educated at Wuhan University and the Wuhan University of Science and Technology. Zhongdong assures frustrated parents and members of the provincial executive committee, who were present with the Premier, Sisi Ntombela, provincial MECs of Health, Education and Treasury, Montsheng Tsiu, Tate Makgoe and Gadija Brown, that the students in Hubei province – the majority of which are on lockdown - are well taken care of, even though they are forced to be isolated and stay in their dorms.

He instead urges parents to try and keep in contact with their children, because the ongoing quarantine in the province may take its emotional toll on students. He briefly shared China’s 91 billion yen/$30 billion dollar plans to combat the devastating virus for which a vaccine is yet to be developed, as well as plans in the pipeline to replace classes in Wuhan with online lectures amidst the crisis.

The Chinese government has also created a hotline for foreigners in the country who seek advice and information regarding the crisis.

Following Zhongdong’s address, Director-General in the Premier’s office, Kopung Ralikontsane, opened the floor for questions from parents, which not only unveiled the parent’s concerns over their children’s wellbeing but highlighted the plethora of issues plaguing the Free State Government’s bursary programme. These issues include the provincial government owing the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) R25 million, resulting in allowances not being paid into student accounts in time, a shortage of masks, and allegations students are receiving non-nutritious food.

Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela urges parents to remain calm. “All that you’re doing now is not necessary. What we should be doing is asking how do we support them, how do we give them hope, give them strength?” says Ntombela emphatically.

According to reports China has quarantined more than 50 million people throughout the province, with no clear indications when these students will be expatriated home.

OFM News