Feature: Russian businessman joins anti-virus fight in China border city

Andrei Azarnov, a Russian businessman, chose to stay in Suifenhe, at the China-Russia border in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, and joined the fight against COVID-19.

Four years ago, Azarnov started his sausage business in Suifenhe with a local man. He has been living in the city since returning from Russia in December.

"I love this career, and deeply love the city and the people here," Azarnov said.

However, business at his shop in the Sino-Russian friendship community has been partially affected by the restricted movement of people as part of local measures to control the spread of COVID-19.

All the communities in the city have restricted entry and residents are permitted to go out to purchase daily necessities only once every three days.

"But we'll continue to provide services to the public while taking protective measures," said Azarnov.

Now the Russian businessman has bought masks, disinfectants and thermometers for his staff and led them to disinfect the shop every day. All the employees are subject to body temperature measurement and registration before starting work.

As of midday Tuesday, Suifenhe had reported a total of 377 confirmed cases imported from overseas. The city has beefed up prevention measures against COVID-19.

At present, the Suifenhe port, a major land checkpoint at the border, has shut down its passenger inspection channel and tightened checks on the freight inspection channel.

"It made me feel safe in China," Azarnov said.

He lauded the city's control efforts and shared them with his family in Moscow by phone.

"I have told them to take preventive measures, such as wearing masks, avoiding gathering and conducting disinfection and ventilation at home."

For Azarnov, the current situation in the border city is orderly and stable. He is trying to sell sausages online and expanding his sales.

"What I want to do most now is to work harder and make up for lost time," he said. "We're fighting against the virus here with our Chinese friends and I believe we'll surely overcome the epidemic."