With the help of local foreign affairs offices, culture and tourism departments, community committees, and medical institutions, the stranded foreign tourists, students, and staff of foreign-owned companies in Yunnan amid the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) have either arrived at their home or their next destination successfully, or stayed in Yunnan, feeling reassured. They all said, “Yunnan warms my heart.”

Israeli tourist: I will come back to China after the epidemic

Officers of Foreign Affairs Office of Nanjian County are seeing off the Israeli tourist at the Xiangyun Railway Station. NANJIAN FAO

An Israeli tourist stranded in Baohua Town sought help from the Foreign Affairs Office of Nanjian County (Nanjian FAO) in Dali Prefecture on January 28, 2020. After reporting to the Foreign Affairs Team of NCP Prevention and Control Command of Dali Prefecture, the officers of Nanjian FAO immediately visited Baohua Town for more details. It was found that the tourist arrived at Baohua Town on January 22, and had planned to visit Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and Tibet before returning to Israel. But he had to stop travelling due to the epidemic and had stayed in his friend’s home. He intended to leave for Thailand, but didn’t know how to get to the airport because of language barrier.

The officers of Nanjian FAO helped him book a train ticket back to Kunming and an airline ticket to Thailand. They arranged a vehicle to send him to the Xiangyun Train Station on February 2, and helped him to leave Yunnan as planned. The tourist expressed gratitude to the officers and said that he would come back to China to visit the friends who helped him after the epidemic.

Italian tourist: I hope China defeats the epidemic soon

On January 31, the Foreign Affairs Team of NCP Prevention and Control Command of Honghe Prefecture received a call from the Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing regarding an Italian tourist. The tourist travelled to Honghe County on January 22, and stayed in a villager’s home in Azhahe Town for the Spring Festival. He couldn’t go back to Hong Kong as scheduled due to the epidemic outbreak and sought help from the Embassy of Italy in China.

The Foreign Affairs Team responded quickly and asked officers of Honghe County FAO to contact the tourist. The officers first explained to the tourist related policies and preventive measures, and then sent him to Jianshui County to take a bullet train back to Kunming on February 2.

“I didn’t expect to receive such thoughtful help. Thank you very much! Hope China defeats the epidemic soon.” The Italian friend said in excitement.

Laotian student: love and care in the quarantine station

On February 3, The workers of Foreign Affairs Team of NCP Prevention and Control Command of Honghe Prefecture visited a Laotian international student quarantined in Honghe University.

The student returned to Honghe University after travelling from Vietnam on January 28, and was found to have fever. For the sake of safety, he was placed under quarantine for medical observation as required.

Being alone away from home, the student felt depressed at first and requested to go back to Laos. The Foreign Affairs Team cooperated with the Honghe University to provide psychological counseling and necessities to the student. Thanks to the joint efforts, the student’s mood and health have recovered.

Diqing helped two French employees return to their home

On February 6, the Foreign Affairs Office of Diqing Prefecture reached out a helping hand to two French employees from a foreign-owned enterprise in Deqin County who planned to leave China by air. The officers briefed them the latest epidemic-related information regarding travel restrictions, flights information from Diqing to Kunming, monitoring checkpoints, and reminded them of bringing residence permits and health proofs along for check-ups.

The two French friends are now at home safe and sound.

African international students: Lijiang is beautiful and warm

Lijiang medics are measuring temperature for the African students. BUREAU OF CONSERVATION OF LIJIANG ANCIENT TOWN

On January 21, four African international students from Zambia and Gambia studying at Wuhan University of Science and Technology were stranded in Lijiang amid the epidemic. Impressed by the thoughtful arrangement and care of the Dayan Community Committee, the Bureau of Conservation of Lijiang Ancient Town, and local medics, the students said that “Lijiang is beautiful and warm”, and expressed their warmest thanks in a DIY video.

Source: Yunnan Net; translation: Yunnan Foreign Affairs Office