BEIJING — The Chinese government attaches great importance to the health and safety of overseas Chinese and students in virus-hit countries and regions, said a Chinese diplomat on March 1.

The government will assist overseas Chinese citizens to return if their health is under severe threat, said Cui Aimin, head of the consular affairs department with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a news conference in Beijing.

Cui called on overseas Chinese to strengthen self-protection and cooperate with the epidemic prevention and control measures in host countries.

Overseas Chinese should ask for help from local administrations and contact Chinese embassies or consulates in case of emergency, said Cui.

Noting that the foreign ministry has coordinated 10 civil flights to brought 1,314 Chinese citizens back, Cui said the ministry also assisted the governments of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region and the Macao Special Administration Region in bringing back nearly 200 residents on the Diamond Princess cruise ship from Japan.

The Chinese embassies and consulates have called for all-out efforts of local authorities to treat overseas Chinese citizens confirmed with COVID-19, Cui said, adding that the consular protection hotline "12308" is in 24-hour service to help compatriots abroad.