Written by: ZHANG Zhiyong and XIAO Ke
Translated by: FU Chongshi
Edited by:
Date: 04-10
HIT News (by ZHANG Zhiyong and XIAO Ke) At present, COVID-19 shows the trend of spreading in many countries. Almost every day, the foreign student, Paulius Ivanov, keeps an eye on the situation of his motherland, Lithuania, through media reports, and updates everything he saw and heard in China through his personal social media account.
Paulius, who began to work on his master’s degree in 2019, is in the School of Economics and Management at HIT. Together with his supervisor, Professor MI Jianing, he is doing some research on the project of “The Belt and Road” think-tank alliance, aiming to develop high-level consultants and think-tank talents for countries along the Belt and Road. Recently, Guangming Daily has covered the story of the international student Paulius Ivanov fighting COVID-19 with the title of "Lithuanian International Student Paulius: Feeling the Responsibility and Warmth of China in the Epidemic Situation", which has attracted widespread attention at home and abroad.
The Lithuanian Morning News[LM1] , the main Lithuanian media, also reported Paulius’s recent situation. In a remote interview, Paulius introduced his experience of fighting the epidemic in China, and praised the Chinese government and the Chinese people for their unity in fighting the epidemic and their contribution to the world, which called out positive responses in Lithuania.
Paulius also said that he understood the need for strict prevention and control measures, without which, he believed, the virus would have definitely spread further.
During the epidemic, the university arranged full-time staff to send free food to international students three times a day, and to check their body temperature twice a day. Paulius said he felt that the epidemic has made the Chinese nation more united. He learned through various channels that the local people were very responsible to take actions of sanitary protection. China ’s efforts to contain the epidemic have left a deep impression on Paulius. "The impact of this epidemic on China and the global economy will be heavy, but I have no doubt that strict and tough protective measures will help control the spread of the virus," he said.
Paulius also optimistically introduced his quarantine life: Although there is no TV in the room, updated information can be obtained through the Internet where he can keep in touch with his friends and communicate with them[LM2] . Paulius said, "If the most stringent prevention and control measures had not been taken, the epidemic would have spread quickly." The article also told Lithuanian readers some hygiene basics about how to prevent and control COVID-19 as an individual. The Lithuanian media have been reporting China's epidemic fighting objectively, actively, and responsibly.
The Chinese Embassy in Lithuania published the article "Salute to the foreigners like Paulius" in the Lithuania[LM3] n Morning News, signed by Ambassador SHEN Zhifei, which stated that during the special period of the nation's fight against the outbreak of New Coronary Pneumonia, Paulius, who loves oriental culture, chose to stay in Harbin to experience how life in China was affected by the epidemic. This special experience, therefore, helped him gain a deeper understanding of China from another angle. Through his introduction, more Lithuanian friends also discovered the real, multi-dimensional China. As Paulius described, "The Chinese people are united, and joint prevention and control are carried out with the strictest measures." During the epidemic, foreign friends who stayed in China were not forgotten. Any foreigner like Paulius who stayed in China have been officially involved in the working mechanism of grassroots-level governments and street communities to ensure their needs in terms of daily necessities, epidemic prevention, and treatment of COVID-19. Most importantly, they can have the same care and protection as Chinese people.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. The epidemic is temporary, but our friendship and cooperation are long-lasting. Today, with increasing uncertainty, mutual understanding, mutual trust, and mutual support across national borders are increasingly important.
Edited by MENG Xiaohui
