China hands over medical supplies to Laos for COVID-19 fight

Economic and commercial counselor of Chinese embassy in Laos Wang Qihui (central L) and Lao Deputy Health Minister Bounfeng Phoummalaysith (central R) pose for photos after the handover ceremony of supplies donated by China for Laos in Vientiane, Laos, March 30, 2020. Medical equipment provided by China to help Laos fight the COVID-19 pandemic were handed over in the Lao capital Vientiane on Monday. The materials include 2,016 testing kits, 5,000 sets of protective clothing and 405,000 face masks, according to the Chinese embassy in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE -- Medical equipment provided by China to help Laos fight the COVID-19 pandemic were handed over in the Lao capital Vientiane on March 30.

The materials include 2,016 testing kits, 5,000 sets of protective clothing and 405,000 face masks, according to the Chinese embassy in Laos.

Economic and commercial counselor of Chinese embassy in Laos Wang Qihui and Lao Deputy Health Minister Bounfeng Phoummalaysith attended the handover ceremony.

According to the Chinese embassy, China attaches great importance to the cooperation with the Lao side to strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control. As a community with a shared future, China is ready to work together with Laos to get through difficulties.

A team of Chinese medical experts arrived in Vientiane on Sunday with medical supplies donated by the Chinese side. Meanwhile, social organizations and Chinese enterprises as well as overseas Chinese in Laos have also collected medical materials for donation.

As of Monday, Laos has reported nine confirmed COVID-19 cases.