BEIJING — Pan Yue, director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council, on Feb 3 extended greetings to overseas Chinese as well as those who have returned to China and their families ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival, or the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Noting that the year 2020 had been a tough year for both China and overseas Chinese, Pan said that some Chinese abroad had experienced life and financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that some had suffered prejudice, discrimination, and even harm.

Pan said that China will bear in mind the close bond between the overseas Chinese community and China amid the global pandemic, as well as the support overseas Chinese people gave while China was hit by the epidemic.

He said the Chinese government will spare no effort in helping overseas Chinese by providing necessary anti-virus materials as well as online consultations and telemedicine services.