Chinese medical supplies reach Japan to help fight COVID-19

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou (R2) and Japan’s State Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Gaku Hashimoto (L2) attend the handover ceremony of China-donated anti-pandemic supplies to Japan on April 9. [Photo/CCTV]

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou, Japanese State Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Gaku Hashimoto, Chinese Minister-Counselor to Japan Yang Yu and Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Hanako Jimi attended a handover ceremony of anti-pandemic supplies donated by China on April 9.

Kong handed over the list of supplies to Hashimoto and thanked the Japanese government and all sections of Japanese society for their support of China during its fight against the COVID-19. He said that under the leadership of the Chinese president, China continues to consolidate its achievement in containing the virus and is making important progress in resuming work and production and accelerating reinstatement of normal economic and social order.

China empathizes with Japan’s current pandemic situation and is willing to provide assistance and support within its ability, share its anti-pandemic experience, and enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation in medical health, said Kong, adding that China encourages its nationals in Japan to comply with Japan’s anti-pandemic measures and regulations and hopes Japan pays close attention to and protect Chinese nationals’ safety and health in Japan.

Hashimoto expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for once again providing anti-pandemic supplies to Japan at this critical moment in fighting the pandemic. Infectious disease is a common challenge faced by international society that requires solidarity and coordination of joint responses by all countries.

Hashimoto added that China is sharing its anti-pandemic experience with Japan in a timely manner and providing large amounts of medical supplies which provide important support to Japan’s pandemic prevention and control. Japan thanks China for its great assistance in helping Japanese nationals in Hubei province return home and will continue protecting Chinese nationals’ safety and health in Japan.

The second shipment of medical materials provided by the Chinese government arrived in Tokyo on April 7, and included N95 masks, surgical masks, medical goggles, protective gowns, masks and sets of surgical equipment.