Foreign heads of Confucius Institutes, jointly with the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and their staff and students, voiced their support to China in its fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic.

Jo?o Veloso, vice-rector and foreign director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Porto in Portugal, said he believes Chinese people are able to address the complex situation in the best way.

In the name of the long friendship between Portugal and China, Veloso extended his regards to Chinese people and related organizations and said he hopes they can eliminate the negative impact on the economy and daily life.

On behalf of his university and the Confucius Institute, he expressed his support and appreciation to the efforts of the Chinese government in curbing the spread and impact of the virus.

Esraa Abd Elsayed, director of the Confucius Institute at Ain-Shams University in Egypt, said in Chinese she was highly moved by China's fight against the epidemic.

"China is not only yours, but also ours. The Confucius Institute at Ain-Shams University will work with you hand-in-hand to overcome the difficulty and embrace the spring. Best wishes to China. Best wishes to Wuhan. Best wishes to each of the persistent Chinese people," she said.

On behalf of the Russian staff, Ksenia Lozovskaya, deputy director of the Confucius Institute at Ural Federal University in Russia, said in Chinese, "We would like to tell our Chinese friends and partners that we all support you."

Ermelinda Manuela Do Rosario Mascarenhas De Pina Fernandes Tavares, foreign director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Verde, said she hopes the epidemic will end soon and Chinese people will get through the difficulty in solidarity.

Angélica Magdalena Corzo Salas de Valdivia, foreign director of the Confucius Institute at Catholic University of Santa Maria in Peru, and her staff and students also extended their wish for victory in China's fight against the epidemic.

Cao Xiaoqi contributed to this story.