China’s experts arrive in Rome to help tackle coronavirus outbreak

A team of nine Chinese epidemiologists, intensive care specialists and a plasma therapy expert arrived in Rome on Mar 12 local time,, along with tons of medical supplies. 

Workers at Fiumicino Airport in Rome unload Chinese aid medical supplies on Mar 12, 2020. [Xinhua/Cheng Tingting]

Francesco Rocca, Chairman of Italian Red Cross Society, highly hailed China’s positive results achieved in the epidemic battle, and sincerely thanked China for its support and assistance. Italy is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China and learn from its experience in the fight against epidemics so as to reverse the epidemic trend at an early date.

Chinese experts arrive at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy, on Mar 12, 2020. [Xinhua/Cheng Tingting]

Li Junhua, Chinese Ambassador to Italy, said that the Chinese experts are heroes who overcame difficulties to help Italy during the coronavirus outbreak period. There is no national boundary for the epidemic, and China and Italy will work together to help each other. 

The Chinese government’s decision to send an expert  team embodies the concept of a community of shared future for mankind and fulfills China’s duties as a responsible major power, said Li.

Workers unload Chinese aided medical supplies at Fiumicino Airport in Rome on Mar 12, 2020. [Xinhua/Cheng Tingting]

Later that night, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio expressed gratitude to the Chinese medical team and for its supplies through social media livestreaming.

Chinese experts said that they quickly try to gain a general picture about the epidemic situation in Italy, and fully share China's experiences and practices with their Italian counterparts.　　

Chinese experts and Francesco Rocca (6 right of 2nd row), Chairman of the Italian Red Cross, pose for a group photo at Fiumicino Airport in Rome on Mar 12, 2020. [Xinhua/Cheng Tingting]

The team was organized by the National Health Commission and the Red Cross Society of China. China has already sent expert teams to Iran and Iraq, as well as medical supplies to the Republic of Korea and Japan, to help them tackle the coronavirus outbreak.