RAMALLAH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian officials praised on Saturday China's experience in fighting the novel coronavirus, saying that Palestine follows China's steps to stop the spread of the virus.
Ibrahim Melhem, spokesman of the Palestinian government said that "China has a strong basis in dealing with economic, political and medical crises. This is obvious when we see how China deals with the coronavirus."
"The full cooperation between the Chinese government and its people and securing food that was sufficient for two weeks have all contributed to limiting the spread of the virus," said Melhem.
On March 5, the Palestinian Authority (PA) declared a status of emergency for one month after the first COVID-19 case was discovered in the West Bank district of Bethlehem.
According to the status of emergency, the PA took a series of tight measures which included the closure of hotels, canceling foreign tourists' reservations in the Palestinian hotels and shutting down cafes and restaurants.
Adnan Samara, chairman of the Palestinian-Chinese Association said that the precautionary measures taken by the PA are inspired from the Chinese experience, which is fully successful because China has managed to unify its people.
Islam Ayyadi, a political science professor at the Arab-American University in Palestine said the Chinese measures taken to combat the coronavirus have become a model for the entire world.
"The unity of the Chinese people and their full cooperation with the Chinese government in dealing with the crisis is an example that could be followed by the whole world to put an end to the spread of the virus," Ayyadi added.
