Presidents Robert Mugabe, Alpha Condé, Ellen Sirleaf and Ernest Koroma,
Madam Helen Clark, Administrator of UNDP,
Dear colleagues,

China welcomes the initiative of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of convening this Conference and appreciates the opening statements by the Secretary-General and Presidents Robert Mugabe, Alpha Condé, Ellen Sirleaf and Ernest Koroma.

Currently, the combat against Ebola is going in a positive direction. The effort of the international community in this regard has achieved good results. China appreciates the tremendous endeavour made by the three countries and welcomes the recovery plans formulated by the three countries and the Mano River Union. I would like to make the following observations regarding our work in the next stage:

First, the international community should build a sense of community of common destiny for all mankind, continue to strengthen unity and concerted action in an effort to help the three countries combat the epidemic and realize recovery. Countries are increasingly inter-connected and interdependent, and a community of common destiny in which all countries' interests are closely linked is taking shape. The Ebola epidemic constitutes not only a severe threat to West African countries, but also a formidable challenge to the entire international community. The affected countries and peoples are at the forefront of our combat and need the firm support of all other countries. We should continue to make concerted efforts to help the affected countries and always stand together with the West African people throughout the process of combating the epidemic and achieving recovery.

Second, we should prioritize our efforts and focus on helping the African countries build and improve their public health systems. The Ebola epidemic has revealed the severe weakness of the public health systems of the countries affected. While the international community needs to increase input in "hardware", including helping the African countries build hospitals and laboratories, and acquire sophisticated apparatus and equipment, it should also help them improve the "software", including enhancing capacity building in health system, establishing public health emergency management mechanisms, improving grass-root level disease prevention and control, intensifying training for medical personnel, and raising awareness in disease prevention.

Third, we should pay attention to and support the development of Africa, thus laying down a firm foundation for recovery. Economic and social development is fundamental way to recovery. The international community should help the affected countries with infrastructure building such as transportation, resumption of trade and export, revitalization of agriculture, energy and other key industries, enhance food security, education and employment, so that they are overall more resilient against crisis and their recovery is sustainable.

China and Africa enjoy a relationship of common destiny. We are good brothers, friends and partners sharing weal and woe and facing adversities together. After the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, China conducted the largest medical assistance since the founding of the People's Republic, providing four batches of assistance to 13 countries in and around the affected areas in the total amount of 120 million US dollars, depatching over 1200 medical staffs. Our assistance was characterized by the following: first, quick response. The first batch of foreign assistance delivered was from China. Second, fast delivery of commitment. China used charter planes to transport assistance, thus ensuring the shortest time lag between the announcement of assistance to the actual delivery. Third, targeted assistance. China made timely adjustments to its assistance in light of the developments of the epidemic, so that each batch of assistance was the most needed and practical. And fourth, focus on the local people. The treatment and testing centers are built for the local population by China and the Chinese disease control experts often went into remote areas to train local medical personnel.

Going forward, China will provide assistance to the post-Ebola recovery according to the need of the affected areas. We will actively support and participate in the building of disease control systems and medical and health infrastructure in Africa, help the African countries establish and improve their public health systems and improve their capacity to respond to public health emergencies. China is studying carefully the recovery plans of the three affected countries and the Mano River Union, and will give positive consideration to a new batch of assistance based on these plans. In order to support the UN in continuing to play a leading and coordinating role in the recovery process of the affected areas, the Chinese government will make an additional donation of 5 million US dollars to the UN Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

Thank you for your attention.