Chinese Embassy in Spain: China's image shouldn't be smeared amid pandemic
Updated 14:48, 28-Mar-2020
CGTN
01:55

The Chinese Embassy in Spain will not allow any foreign media to smear the image of China and Chinese products at will, Yao Fei, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Spain said on Friday.

Some Spanish media Thursday reported that China-supplied fast test kits for the novel coronavirus have high error rates.

In a video interview with CMG anchor Bai Yansong, Yao responded that the embassy is clarifying the situation regarding the source of the test kits. 

The Chinese embassy in Spain issues clarification regarding the test kits. /Twitter screenshot

The Chinese embassy in Spain issues clarification regarding the test kits. /Twitter screenshot

The related Chinese manufacturer, Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology, has already released a statement on Friday saying that the misoperation of the fast test kits could result in the high error rates.

Facts Tell: Do China's coronavirus test kits have a high error rate? The answer is 'no'

Shenzhen Bioeasy Biotechnology also said a re-evaluation of the products they sold is being conducted by a Spanish microbiology lab. The results will be published in about two days.

Yao pointed out that the domestic quarantine department has begun quality supervision of these products, adding that, "We believe that through the joint efforts of China and Spain, this issue can be successfully resolved."

Yao Fei (R), charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Spain, talks with CMG anchor Bai Yansong during an interview via video, March 27, 2020. /CGTN

Yao Fei (R), charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Spain, talks with CMG anchor Bai Yansong during an interview via video, March 27, 2020. /CGTN

Yao also clarified that these fast test kits mentioned in Spanish media are not included in the supplies China has been donating to Spain. 

It was the Spanish government's own purchasing act, he noted and added the purchase is made through a local supplier but not directly from the Chinese market.

Spain is one of the worst-hit countries in Europe with the confirmed cases of COVID-19 rising to 64,059 on early Friday. The Spanish government has extended the state of emergency until at least 12 April. 

Pavla Svrcinova, a regional hygienist of the Czech Republic, recently also claimed in a Czech radio that up to 80 percent of the rapid coronavirus test kits that the country ordered from China were not working properly.

The Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic responded on Friday that the embassy closely followed the developments of the situation and verified the case.

According to the embassy's spokesperson, the issue mentioned by the Czech media has been clarified by Roman Prymula, deputy minister of health of the Czech Republic.

Prymula responded said that "the 80 percent error rate is not true," adding that the fast test kits are only used for a directional test and a PCR test is needed to make a definite diagnosis.

Jan Hamacek, the deputy prime minister and interior minister, has also said the situation is caused by the improper use of the fast test kits by the Czech side.

The embassy's spokesperson reiterated that China is willing to exchange and share experience in epidemic prevention and control with the international community, including the Czech Republic, to jointly fight the epidemic and safeguard global and regional public health security.