March 31,2020

Dear all foreign teachers,

First of all,please accept my greetings from the China University of Mining and Technology here in Xuzhou.

In the meantime, on behalf of the University,I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to all of you for your commitment to help maintain a favorable teaching and education order in the spring semester since the outbreak of COVID-19 back in January this year.On-line teaching is far from easy. It has become even more challenging in the situation of time difference for those who are overseas at the moment, but you have handled it with a professional manner.

As is reported, the situation of COVID-19 pandemic here in China has been improving.Thus, as many other universities in China, CUMT is working on a plan for reopening school scheduled for the middle of April.

However,in view of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the world, China is still taking strict and comprehensive precautionary measures. According to the latest announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China, China has decided to temporarily suspend the entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits still valid to the time of this announcement,effective from o a.m.March 28,2020.Under such guidelines,foreign teachers who are overseas at this point will not be able to enter China. We strongly suggest you stay where you currently are and reduce nonessential travel,and hope you all will take good care of yourself and your family and stay sound and healthy.You will continue with on-line teaching or research as before.

For foreign teachers who are currently in Xuzhou, you will follow University's guidelines to get prepared for undertaking classroom teaching as your Chinese colleagues.

We will stay in close contact with all the sides involved and let you know,as soon as possible,the information concerning your return to China as well as work arrangements here at CUMT.

Virus knows of no national boundaries and this outbreak, like the previous ones, poses a threat to us all. During the difficult times,let us not weaken our efforts because of fear, but strengthen our resolve through confidence.

In conclusion, I wish you all the best,and look forward to seeing you again at CUMT in the near future.

Professor ZHOU Fubao

Vice President of CUMT

给中国矿业大学全体外籍教师的一封信

亲爱的外籍教师们:

首先,请接受我来自徐州中国矿业大学的问候。

自今年一月新冠肺炎疫情发生以来,为维持我校良好的教育教学秩序,各位教师付出良多。对此,我谨代表学校向各位表示诚挚 的感谢。你们有些人身处海外,面临时差等实际困难,在线教学也因此变得更加不易,但你们克服了这些困难,这体现了你们的职业态度。

据报道,中国疫情状况持续向好。因此,中国矿业大学和国内 很多高校一样,也在为四月中旬开学做相关准备工作。

然而,鉴于目前疫情在全球范围快速蔓延,中国仍在采取严格、全面的防控措施。根据中华人民共和国外交部、国家移民管理局相关公告,中方自2020年3月28日0时起,暂时停止外国人持目前有效来华签证和居留许可入境。因此,目前身处境外的外籍教师将无法来华。我们十分建议您待在目前所在地,并减少不必要的 外出,同时希望您照顾好自己和家人,平安健康。和前阶段一样,你们将继续开展线上教学或科研工作。

对于目前身处徐州的各位教师,请您按照学校相关要求,和其他中国同事一样,做好开学后课堂教学的相关准备。

我们将和相关各方保持密切联系,了解涉及外籍教师返回中国 及矿大教学工作的相关安排。一旦有消息,我们将尽快告知大家。

病毒无国界。和以往的疫情一样,此次疫情也是所有人面临的共同威胁。在这一困难时期,让我们无所畏惧,坚定信心,共克时艰。

最后,祝各位教师万事如意,期待尽快与您相聚矿大。

副校长 周福宝教授

2020年3月31日