Foreign

life of service: Chinese doctor’s heroic sacrifice in Tanzania

Published

3 months ago

July 4, 2025

By Huang Weixin, Xiao Jiaxin, People’s Daily

“Serving the people knows no borders. As a Chinese doctor, I am proud to let my Tanzanian colleagues feel the strength of our country and our profession,” Zhang Junqiao, the leader of the 27th Chinese medical team in Tanzania, wrote in a final social media post.

Days later, on June 15, these words became his legacy. Witnessing a local woman drowning off the coast of Dar es Salaam, Zhang sprinted into the surf to rescue her. Though the woman survived, the 38-year-old anesthesiologist, overcome by exhaustion, perished in the waves despite desperate resuscitation attempts by his colleagues.

A Zhang had arrived in Dar es Salaam in early 2024, serving at Muhimbili National Hospital where he specialized in anesthesiology and trained local medical staff.

His sudden death left his colleagues heartbroken and deeply moved the local community. At a memorial on June 20, more than 300 Tanzanian medical personnel, residents, and members of the Chinese community gathered in solemn silence, standing side by side to bid farewell to Zhang.

As Tanzania’s top referral facility, Muhimbili National Hospital faces a long-standing shortage of anesthesiologists despite having multiple surgical centers. Zhang took it upon himself to address the gap by organizing targeted training sessions for local healthcare professionals and medical students. To those he trained, Zhang was not only a skilled clinician but also a man of profound compassion, generosity, and sincerity.

“He was truly a hero. We will never forget him,” said Daniel Munubi, acting head of anesthesia at the hospital. “He imparted his expertise generously, never keeping his knowledge to himself. We had hoped for more time with him. Fate decided otherwise.”

“He rarely declined patients seeking help,” said team member Guo Qing. Guo recalled that Zhang was incredibly dedicated, initiating many groundbreaking efforts at the hospital and organizing multiple clinical training sessions. Zhang had hoped to establish a clinical simulation center for anesthesiology and train more local talent to “leave behind a medical team that won’t leave” in Tanzania.

“Dr. Zhang’s actions speak louder than words. His sacrifice embodies pure humanitarianism and will endure in memory,,” said Elic William Mwakaungila, a nurse anaesthetist from Muhimbili National Hospital, who now studies in north China’s Shanxi province. Fighting tears, he added: “I came to China because of him. He urged me to gain knowledge and bring it home. He wasn’t just a colleague. He was my best friend and role model.”

During a free community clinic, the medical team encountered 8-year-old Louis suffering from severe congenital umbilical hernia. With the assistance of the team, his family went to Muhimbili National Hospital for diagnosis and treatment, but could not afford the hospitalization expenses. Zhang and his colleagues pooled their own funds to cover the hospital expenses of little Louis. After successful surgery, the boy’s mother requested a Chinese name from the medical team, who chose “Qilu” – the poetic name for Shandong province.

In China, Zhang worked in the anesthesiology department at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University. In recent conversations with department head Sun Yingui, Zhang had been exploring ways to deliver critical medical resources to Tanzania and expand training programs, through both virtual and in-person initiatives..

“He had a warm heart and an unwavering passion for public service,” said Sun. “Even when our department was overwhelmed, he was always the first to volunteer for outreach clinics.”

In June 2020, Zhang used personal funds to purchase simulation equipment and set up a CPR teaching booth in a public square in Weifang, Shandong province, offering lifesaving instruction to passersby. He aimed to conduct more than 100 public training sessions each year. “My goal is simple,” he once said. “If just one out of every 100 people pauses to learn, that’s still one more life that might be saved.”

Zhang’s commitment inspired many healthcare workers. With support from his hospital and university, he launched a volunteer campaign called “Heartbeat Action” to raise public awareness about pre-hospital emergency care. By late 2023, the campaign had held more than 400 public events.

Now, Zhang’s colleagues in the “Heartbeat Action” volunteer team are determined to sustain his vision. Anesthesiologist Yao Fuwang has assumed the leadership. “Zhang is gone,” Yao said, “but the ‘heartbeat’ of this mission must go on.”

Foreign

Trump at UN: Iran ‘Can Never Be Allowed’ to Obtain Nuclear Weapons

Published

2 weeks ago

September 24, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday told the United Nations General Assembly that Iran must never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons, branding Tehran “the world’s number one sponsor of terror.”

Trump said Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities were “totally obliterated” during June’s 12-day conflict, crediting a US-led strike codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer.

“Seven American B-2 bombers dropped fourteen 30,000-pound bombs on Iran’s key nuclear facility, completely destroying it,” Trump declared. “No other country could have done what we did. We have the greatest weapons on Earth. We hate to use them, but we did what the world has wanted for 22 years.”

The president said that, shortly after taking office, he had offered Iran full cooperation in exchange for halting its nuclear program, but Tehran rejected the overture. Instead, he accused Iran of escalating threats to its neighbors and to US interests.

According to Trump, the military campaign forced a breakthrough, paving the way for an end to the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. He cast the truce as both a victory for American power and a step toward regional stability.

While hailing the strike as a historic achievement, Trump’s speech underscored the continuing hostility between Washington and Tehran, despite what he described as a short-term ceasefire.

Do you want me to sharpen this into a hard-news brief (just the essentials in 4–5 sentences), or keep the expanded version with military details and quotes?

Foreign

Trump to Criticize ‘Globalist’ Bodies, Palestinian Recognitions in UN Speech

Published

2 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

US President Donald Trump will take aim at“globalist institutions” and Western governments’ recognition of a Palestinian state in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, the White House said on Monday.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s first UN speech of his second term will highlight “the renewal of American strength around the world” while accusing multilateral bodies of undermining global order.

“The president will also touch upon how globalist institutions have significantly decayed the world order, and he will articulate his straightforward and constructive vision for the world,” Leavitt said.

Trump, a longtime critic of the UN, has previously slashed US funding to its agencies and pulled Washington out of several multilateral agreements under his “America First” agenda.

On the sidelines of the assembly, Trump will hold a multilateral meeting with leaders of key Muslim nations — including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan — Leavitt disclosed.

The speech comes amid tensions over recent decisions by Britain, Canada, and Australia to recognize a Palestinian state, with France expected to follow. Trump has condemned the moves, arguing they amount to “a reward to Hamas.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, due to speak at the UN on Friday, has vowed to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank in response to the recognitions.

Trump will also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss Kyiv’s push for Western-backed security guarantees, and separately hold talks with Argentina’s President Javier Milei after Washington signaled possible economic support for Buenos Aires.

Would you like me to make the headline sharper and more dramatic (e.g. “Trump to Blast UN, Western Allies Over Palestine at General Assembly”) or keep it formal and neutral like above?

Foreign

The Qatari Ministry of Interior has dismissed claims that it introduced new visa restrictions targeting Nigerian passport holders.

Published

4 weeks ago

September 11, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

According to BBC Pidgin, an official of the ministry said Nigerians remain eligible to apply for visas, with no changes to existing procedures.

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The viral claims had alleged that Qatari authorities banned male applicants from travelling to the Gulf state unless accompanied by family members.

The reports also suggested that only women or families could apply for visas, with requirements including a five-star hotel booking and proof of a return flight before consideration.

According to the claims, the purported measures were linked to frequent cases of overstays by Nigerian travellers.

However, Hayya, Qatar’s official digital platform for e-visa services, confirmed that the application process remains unchanged.

“There has been no suspension or changes to the current procedures. If any updates are to be made, they will be announced on our official platforms,” Hayya said.

Qatar has witnessed a steady rise in Nigerian visitors in recent years, particularly as an alternative travel hub during the diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (2021–2024), which led to visa restrictions and suspension of direct flights.