In the days of novel coronavirus pneumonia sweeping, French Jean-Paul Alozy didn’t follow his fellowmen back to homeland, but chose to stay; Slovak Ivan Teltsch was in Shaxian, Fujian and no longer had meals together with Chinese colleagues, but each on a separate table; French Claude Laubriet became dependent on Hema Supermarket, Alipay, WeChat translation and Taobao; German girl Lenka Knop returned to China from Germany on March 4 and started the 14-day quarantine, hoping to go back to work 14 days later.
The four foreigners are employees of overseas enterprises under China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina). As domestic and overseas businesses of ChemChina are integrated and exchanges between its Chinese and foreign employees are multiplied, the Corporation allocates global human resources on a rotary basis as needed, making China the second hometown of many foreign employees. The epidemic broke out during Chinese Spring Festival, when most foreign employees had returned to their country, but still, some stayed in China. They are now safe and sound, well past the epidemic peak along with Chinese colleagues, and they are now concerned about their families back in the hometown, hoping to share with them their feelings in China and experience of China.
Name: Claude Laubriet
“I’m never worried, because Chinese government practices safety and health management policies that are quite similar to safety management rules in the chemical industry, which is to put prevention first.”
Nationality: French
Enterprise: China National BlueStar (Group) Co., Ltd.
Position: Asia-Pacific Vice Director of Elkem Silicones
Current location: Shanghai
1. Can you please introduce your work in China briefly?
In September 2006, I joint BlueStar and came to China for the first time. I used to work as General Manager of Bluestar Silicones Shanghai Factory and then Chief Manufacturing Officer of Jiangxi Bluestar Xinghuo Silicones Co., Ltd., and now I’m Asia-Pacific Vice Director of Elkem Silicones. I go back to Europe mainly on business trips and besides, I go back once every summer for vacation with my family and friends.
2. How do you think of the current COVID-19 epidemic? Are you afraid or worried? Why did you choose to stay in China?
The COVID-19 epidemic is severe, but with the efforts of everyone, it has been taken under effective control. The virus is tough, because different from regular flu, it takes a while for patients to realize they are infected and thus, prevention is critical. Chinese government has realized so and taken thorough measures. In the chemical industry, we have also adopted multiple protective measures in daily work.
I’m never worried, because Chinese government practices safety and health management policies that are quite similar to safety management rules in the chemical industry, which is to put prevention first.
Why did I stay in China? I never thought about leaving. When my team and colleagues are fighting, I need be there, fighting together. This is a hard time and we need face it together. Besides, some management members were stuck in their hometown during the Spring Festival and a team need be set up to cope with the crisis. Also, even if the Shanghai team can handle all of this on its own, me being here will make them assured.
3. Has your company resumed production? What measures against the epidemic are taken in your company? What preventive measures are needed for going to work every day? How do you comment on the preventive measures in place?
We resumed work on February 11 and are now operating at full speed. We set up a crisis coping committee back on January 24. During the Spring Festival, two managers were working full-time on the site and several employees also came back to work afterwards one after another, making it ready for the entire staff to resume work. We strictly practice anti-virus policies on a daily basis, such as wearing face masks, washing hands, temperature control, detailed travel questionnaire, compulsory quarantine, corporate employment certificate, daily check of accurate status of each employee (where, how, with who etc.), and reporting. We now have sufficient face masks and sterilizing products and the entire staff has finished quarantine on time.
Besides, we encourage employees for home office and use video-conferencing to reduce direct contact among people.
On the corporate level, we have been communicating closely with European chief officers in environment, health and safety and management members of BlueStar and ChemChina and reporting real-time status in different areas.
4. During the epidemic prevention and control, have you faced any difficulty in daily life? How are they solved?
Shortly after the epidemic broke out, as a foreigner working and living in Shanghai, I was just like everyone else and used Hema Supermarket, Alipay, WeChat translation and Taobao a lot, which made my life much easier during the hard time. My Chinese colleagues and friends showed great care to me, teaching me how to use Apps and translate and ready to help me anytime. So I didn’t face much difficulty during this time. Of course, it was a little boring to have to stay at home on weekends, and we just spent more time on work.
Recently, some cases of infection returning from outside China are reported and the public is paying increasingly greater attention to foreigners. Chinese government is deeply concerned and is well aware that foreigners may be afraid and even anxious when they don’t understand. For this reason, it has made great efforts to help foreigners with full access to the epidemic-related English information, leaflets and Apps. This is terrific.
5. Are your family also in China? How are they doing now?
My grownup children are in Europe. My partner lives in Shanghai with me. For a family, the most important thing is education of the children, especially for those families with graduation exams coming up at the end of the year. They hope their school can open soon, so that they can get ready for the exams.
6. Are your family worried about you in China? As the epidemic is spreading across the world, are you worried about your family? How often do you contact with them? Have you given them reminders of protection?
We talk almost every day with WeChat. They are not worried about it here in China, because they can see China’s prevention and control work is at a very high level and we have taken all the protective measures that can be taken. I’m more worried about them, because the virus is sweeping across Europe now. I suggest my family and friends in Europe avoiding crowds as much as possible, washing hands a lot, avoiding kiss or hand-shaking and wearing face masks. They stayed in Asia for several years and so unlike other young people in Europe, wearing face masks is no problem for them.
7. In your observation, how are your Chinese colleagues and friends around you feeling about the epidemic?
Here, I feel in person one thing: harmony. Everyone around me is working diligently, respecting social rules, engaged in no fierce resistance or fight for the sake of everyone’s interest, and doing things always in the spirit of seeking solutions. Also, I see that many people are able to have fun under such special circumstances and there are many interesting videos on social media to help people relax and ease daily burden. This is very good.
8. How do you comment on the epidemic prevention and control in China?
Efficient, practical and applicable. So far, there is no case of infection in Elkem Silicones Shanghai Factory or Xinghuo Factory. Wide application of social media plays an important role in the anti-virus battle. Meanwhile, China well understands how to strike a balance between economy and risk. Information on the epidemic is clear, available and widely communicated.
Name: Jean-Paul Alozy
“As the epidemic is spreading in France now, French colleagues often ask for our advices and learn from Nanjing in prevention and control measures.”
Nationality: French
Enterprise: China National BlueStar (Group) Co., Ltd.
Position: Deputy General Manager of Bluestar Adisseo Nanjing Co., Ltd.
1. How long have you been in China? How often do you go back? What is your work specifically in the enterprise?
I’ve been in China for 12 years and go back to France twice a year. I’m now Deputy General Manager of Bluestar Adisseo Nanjing Co., Ltd. in charge of procurement, sales, supply chain and safety supervision.
2. How do you think of the COVID-19 epidemic? Are you afraid or worried? Why did you choose to stay in China?
I’m neither afraid nor worried about my personal health or safety. Though French government made arrangements for us to go back before, I chose to stay in China, because I didn’t want to flee, but wanted to fight together with my colleagues in China.
3. Has your company resumed production? What measures against the epidemic are taken in your company? What preventive measures are needed for going to work every day? How do you comment on the preventive measures in place?
Production here never stopped, even during the Spring Festival and the epidemic. The enterprise is doing a great job in prevention, control and management and has taken specific measures. We report health status (including people of contact) on a daily basis, sterilize, check body temperature, wash hands a lot, make registration and wear face masks; 1-meter distance need be kept for dining in the canteen; remote conferencing is used as much as possible to avoid gathering; except for those required at work, it’s forbidden to enter the central control room; employees’ status is tracked and those from Hubei or in contact with people from Hubei are subject to quarantine. I think compared with Europe, our management in the Nanjing factory is thorough and backed by employees’ recognition and support. Now, as the epidemic is spreading in France, French colleagues often take our advices and learn from Nanjing for prevention and control measures.
4. During the epidemic prevention and control, have you faced any difficulty in daily life? How are they solved?
As a foreigner working in Nanjing, I’ve always been treated well in the company. Vegetables were sold out in supermarkets when the epidemic just broke out, but now the problem has been solved after government regulation. I find I can buy everything online and have them delivered at door. At beginning, I could buy face masks nowhere and my son in France mailed me one packet. It took 10 days on the way and cost over 600 euros in total with freight and tariff combined. That was the most expensive masks I’ve ever used. Now, the company also provides masks for employees. During the epidemic, my car couldn’t start, but maintainers couldn’t get in because the community was locked down. As the situation was taken under control later, the problem was solved.
5. Are your family also in China? How are they doing now?
My family in China are doing great. My mom and son are in France and I’m now worried about them, especially my ageing mother, as the epidemic is sweeping France. Some western media has exaggerated the severity of the epidemic in China. In fact, the severity is different in Hubei and in other areas of China. I’m in Nanjing, with limited influence on my work and life, and my colleagues and friends around me are all healthy.
6. Are your family worried about you in China? As the epidemic is spreading across the world, are you worried about your family? How often do you contact with them? Have you given them reminders of protection?
Before, it was my family in France that told me to be cautious and take protective measures, but now, it’s my turn to tell them so. All of my friends think China is doing a great job in prevention and control. I keep daily contact with my family in France via emails and make phone calls once a week.
7. In your observation, how are your Chinese colleagues and friends around you feeling about the epidemic?
When it just started, people panicked a little with no knowledge of the development trend of the epidemic, but they gradually accepted and understood the situation. They began to voluntarily protect themselves and others by wearing face masks for instance. People also encouraged each other with WeChat and rooted for Wuhan and for China.
8. How do you comment on the epidemic prevention and control in China?
Chinese government takes proper measures at proper times to prevent and control the epidemic. This is not an easy job, but Chinese government made it. This requires extraordinary determination and execution.
Interview outline：Foreign employees in China
Name：Ivan Teltsch
Nationality：Slovakia
Company：China National Chemical Equipment Co., Ltd. (CNCE)
Title：Fujian Tianhua Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd production director
When did you came to China? And how long have you been in this place.
The first time I came to China was in 2016. I followed the leader of kraussmaffei to visit and study. This year, I returned to work on February 24.
Why didn't I go back to Slovakia during the Spring Festival holiday? I planned to travel to Harbin with a friend, but I didn't go because of the coronavirus outbreak. During the Spring Festival holiday, I stayed in Shanghai, instead of going back to Slovakia to get together with my family and friends.
What work are you doing? What is your job role?
My job is to manage workshop production and development operation together with the workshop directors of Fujian Tianhua factory. Such as the riveting, machining and final assembly workshop. I am an expert in production management you know.
How did you spend your day during the outbreak?
Usually I am working from 7 am to 6 pm. After work, I will shop in the nearby shops, buying some daily necessities. After buying I return to the dormitory hurriedly, daring not to stay outside too long. I read in the evening, some business management books.
How has the outbreak affected your work and life? Have you met any difficulties?
Of course there are some effects. Especially in the condition of language difficulties.
But working in Sanming is more enjoyable than being isolated in Shanghai.
Are you concerned or worried about this outbreak?
Without knowing how many people will be infected, of course you worry.
How about your family in Slovakia? Are they worried about you? Are you worried about them?
My wife and I worry about each other, so I talk to my family on the phone three times a day during breaks and have video chats on WeChat frequently.
How do you communicate with your family? Do you talk about the outbreak?
Yes I will communicate with my family about the situation in China and the situation in Europe. Sometimes comparisons are made.
In your opinion, has the outbreak affected your company much?
The outbreak of course has an impact on the company. A small number of out-of-town employees were isolated at home. Technicians can work at home. But the front-line workers need to operate on site, their work would be greatly affected. The parts we need could not arrive in time because the suppliers were also isolated at home.
What efforts have been made to overcome the effects of the outbreak by your company.
The company has set up a leading group for prevention and control, and formulated an emergency plan.
We comply with government regulations that require self-segregation of employees returning from and passing through other provinces. Employees are required to wear face masks at work and have their temperatures checked on and off duty.
The company promptly distributed the necessary anti-epidemic articles, such as medical masks, antibacterial hand sanitizers, disinfectants, etc. The factory and the canteen strengthened the disinfection. Everyone was asked to eat separately, one at a table. I am very satisfied with these initiatives
What do you think of this outbreak? How do you evaluate the efforts made by all parties (the governments, social organizations, your company and your community) in the prevention and control of the outbreak.
The Chinese government is highly aware of prevention and has taken effective preventive measures, which have played a positive role in epidemic prevention.
Shanghai has done a great job in epidemic prevention, especially in transportation and shops area. I feel that Sanming has done a good job in epidemic prevention too. But Comparatively speaking, the epidemic prevention work in Shanghai is stricter than that here in Sanming. Everyone in Shanghai wore masks.
Why did I stay? Firstly out of a sense of responsibility I think. I still have many work at hand. Secondly, compared with the spreading condition abroad, China is safer.
I think as long as you actively cooperate with the requirements of the government and the company, and do your personal protection well, you don't need to be worried too much.
I hope we are all safe. We should insist on wearing masks and washing hands frequently. This area of our company is very safe.
Hoping for the best, the outbreak will soon be over. And I hope that my European colleagues will be able to travel to China on business.
Interview outline：Foreign employees in China
Ms. Lenka Knop（女）
KM（Shanghai） Project Manager New Products
When did you came to China? And how long have you been in this city.
I signed my Chinese contract October 2018, living in Shanghai and travelling to Jiaxing（嘉兴） regularly. Before I had frequent business trips to China starting April 2018.
I came back to China from Germany on March 4.
What work are you doing? What is your job role?
I’m a mechanical engineer in research and development. My role is project management of new machines for the Chinese, - and from here to the International market. Therefore, I’m in charge of knowhow transfer, technical clarification, costs, schedules etc.
How did you spend your day during the outbreak?
At the very beginning, I was in China working as usual. For Chinese New Year I traveled to Germany to work in the head quarter.
How has the outbreak affected your work and life? Have you met any difficulties?
Working was less effective during the peak outbreak. I was not allowed by the company to go back to work in China immediately. My work requires personal presence with the Chinese team, because design work is hard to discuss via phone.
Are you concerned or worried about this outbreak?
I’m not worried about the virus itself. I’m in good health condition, an infection would very likely only cause mild symptoms for me. I was a little concerned for shortage of masks, disinfectant and drinking water and necessary groceries. But that is under control.
How about your family? Are they worried about you? Are you worried about them?
My family checked regularly with me for my health status. They were a little afraid of me going back to China. I think the situation here is under control. Now in Europe it seems worse.
How do you communicate with your family? Do you talk about the outbreak?
Mostly chatting and calling. The topic is mentioned occasionally, but not the main subject for most conversations.
In your opinion, has the outbreak affected your company much?
It at least slowed us down. Some activities will be delayed. We will feel the effects of the outbreak later, I think.
What efforts have been made to overcome the effects of the outbreak by your company.
We switched to home office. Systems were made available from home. We started more conference calls.
What do you think of this outbreak? How do you evaluate the efforts made by all parties (the governments, social organizations, your company and your community) in the prevention and control of the outbreak.
Altogether the outbreak seems to be in control in Shanghai, were I live. The public life changed in some situations, it is a little restrictive. The rules implemented by all parties are quiet strict, but in the end effective. I hope due to the efforts of everyone the virus will stay under control and life can return to normal soon.