Intl students, scholars in China weigh in on virus fight

Editor's note: Despite the epidemic outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, some foreigners including international students decided to stay in China. How do they view China's efforts to fight the virus? What is their response to the epidemic? They share their own prospective during this special moment.

Being a student from Peshawar, Pakistan, I encountered many hard times in life. But I know, they pass.

Coming to China was my dream, no matter, in any part of life. Fortunately destiny bestowed upon me the chance to study here. Suddenly we heard the news of an epidemic outbreak of a new virus (2019-nCoV). At first we took it too easy but then we saw the horrible news of its real capabilities and boom! But calamity isn't a thing! Rather fighting it is. The Chinese nation encountered it with high spirits on such a massive scale that being a witness, I am amazed. They took care of themselves, of the places, used the best technologies and took care of us more than themselves. They provided us with free masks, disinfectant, medicine, food at doorsteps, free electricity and moral support. It is a hard time but I'm really impressed by their spirit.

For now, I think we are very safe till the epidemic is over. But I'm really disappointed with some of the international media playing a negative role. 2020 started with calamities such as the Australian bushfires, floods in Venice, earthquakes in Turkey and Japan, a locust outbreak in East Africa and South Asia. So why such a negative portrayal of the coronavirus?

Yes the problem is there but I know my fellow Chinese people are combating it in the best way. I will stay here, will support my friends and will pursue my goals in this safe land of opportunities.

Muhammad Musa Khan Niazi is a student at Shandong Institute of Commerce and Technology in Jinan, Shandong province.