133 Fijians Working, Studying in China are Well, Healthy: Embassy

The Fijian Embassy in China has confirmed that the 133 Fijians currently studying and working in China are well and healthy.

A situation report issued by the Embassy on Wednesday, stated that there were 177 Fijians living in China.

The report noted that the Embassy in Beijing had directed all focus and efforts to ensure that Fijians in China that have remained in the country are monitored and timely reports were provided on their safety and wellbeing.

The Fijian Embassy has advised students and Fijian nationals to update them on their location status should they have any plans to travel.

The report added that there had not been any significant developments in Wuhan apart from the two Fijian students who have departed for New Zealand.

All the students in Wuhan are well and healthy and the team will be alerting the Fiji Embassy of any significant changes or assistance required for the students, it said.

Rate of newly confirmed cases slows down

The embassy also confirmed that the rate of newly confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in China has slowed down since January 29.

The situation report noted that even though the number of cases had been increasing, the rate of newly confirmed cases has slowed down at a steady rate.

Yee returns home for health and wellbeing

International business student at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in Nanjing, China, Kayla Yee, said she had to return home with two other students and they were cleared at the Nadi International Airport. “Once I found out about the cases near the East Gate (the border that separates Wuhan and Nanjing City), I realised it was time to leave. It was not just that. It was everything from being indoors all the time, doing the same thing all day, and also the shortage of masks which meant no going outdoors,”

Ms Yee said.

“Part of me didn’t want to leave as I didn’t want to leave my friends behind. I bought masks online; they were thin ones because the other ones had run out where I was. I had to wear three masks at one time. My mother sent me my flight details and I left China,” she said.

She urged the public to support Fijians who are still in China.

“As a student, it makes me feel good to know that someone is thinking of me and keeping me in their prayers

“Having to watch the news all day and reading all the negative things people have been posting really gets to you.

“We have been advocating so much on mental health and that’s what keeps students going when we’re away from home. Let’s continue to encourage and pray for the health and well-being of our students in China.”