On November 6, 2020, the 6th monthly lecture on consular protection was delivered online by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality. The keynote speaker for the lecture was Dr. Jiang Rongmeng, a Chief Physician at Beijing Ditan Hospital. As a member of the National Expert Group response to the COVID-19 and the National Expert Committee on Infectious Diseases of China, Dr. Jiang provided overseas Beijingers, particularly Beijing students in Europe, with scientific guidance on epidemic prevention. Approximately 800 overseas Chinese in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Hungary, etc., attended the lecture.

Dr. Jiang explained the fundamentals of COVID-19 and epidemic prevention and control in simple words, which covered infection sources, routes of transmission and vulnerable groups. Based on the overall situation of COVID-19 in Europe, he introduced some practical preventive measures. Moreover, he advised overseas Chinese against non-essential international travel and encouraged them to respond to the epidemic with a scientific approach and optimism.

Attendees expressed their appreciation to Dr. Jiang and praised the lecture as both timely and informative. Shi Songhao, Vice Chairman of the Union of Chinese Researchers and Students in France (UCECF) thanked the lecturer for guiding him and overseas students to fight against COVID-19 and stay safe. He said the union would spread the information to more students. Duan Lian, member of the Association of Students and Researchers of Humanities and Social Sciences in Spainsaid, "We are very grateful to the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office for organizing this lecture, which has boosted our confidence to fight the epidemic overseas." Hu Lanbo, Honorary Director of the Beijing Western Returned Scholars Association in Italy described the lecture as practical. He said, "Overseas Chinese are suffering from not only the severe epidemic, but also mental stress. This lecture provides us with both knowledge and stress relief."

The event was strongly supported by the Beijing Western Returned Scholars Association.

Tips:

1. Closely follow authoritative information about COVID-19 released by the health authorities of host countries and the websites of China's embassies and consulates and so on;

2. Follow the regulations set by local governments and universities, strengthen personal and home protection, and avoid unnecessary travel, including international travel;

3. Avoid large-scale gatherings to reduce the risk of cross-infection, maintain proper diet and lifestyle, take good care of your health and seek medical attention if necessary;

4. Stay alert to telecommunication fraud to guarantee personal and property safety;

5. In case of emergency, contact the local Chinese embassy or consulate or call 12308, the hotline of the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, to seek consular protection and assistance.