Chinese medical team arrives in Saudi Arabia to help fight COVID-19

A team of Chinese medical experts arrived in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, on April 15, following through on the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries in a joint fight against COVID-19.

The team brought with them a batch of medical supplies donated by the government of China’s Ningxia Hui autonomous region including infrared thermometers, masks, protective gowns, goggles and nucleic acid testing kits. 

Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing and the General Supervisor of the General Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia welcomed the medical experts at the airport.

Chinese medical experts arrive in Saudi Arabia on April 15. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Chen hailed the Chinese experts as heroes in harm’s way in the international fight against the virus, implementers of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind and promoters of China-Saudi Arabia friendship sharing weal and woe.

Since the outbreak of the virus, China and Saudi Arabia have been a model of bilateral relations for international cooperation and deeply demonstrate the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Chen.

Chen added that China values Saudi Arabia’s sympathy for and support of China throughout its fight against COVID-19, pays high attention to and feels for the pandemic situation in Saudi Arabia and commends the positive anti-pandemic measures adopted by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing (2nd right) and the General Supervisor of the General Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia welcome the Chinese medical experts at the airport on April 15. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

Chen stressed that the dispatch of Chinese medical experts demonstrates the nature of China-Saudi Arabia relations looking out for each other through thick and thin and their firm confidence in their joint response to the virus. It is China’s promise and actual practice to support its Saudi Arabian friends in the battle against COVID-19 by sending Chinese medical experts far away from home.

Chen noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations. The two countries’ cooperation in fighting the virus will be a highlight of bilateral ties. With the joint efforts of the international community including China and Saudi Arabia, the world will eventually prevail over the virus.

Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chen Weiqing (4th right) and the General Supervisor of the General Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia pose for a group photo with Chinese medical experts at the airport on April 15. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]

The eight-member team was organized by the National Health Commission of China and dispatched by the Health Commission of the Ningxia Hui autonomous region. The experts specialize in laboratory testing, infectious disease prevention and control, respiratory diseases, intensive care, nursing and traditional Chinese medicine.

The Chinese experts will share their anti-pandemic experience with their Saudi Arabian counterparts and provide them with pandemic control assistance, diagnosis and therapeutic guidance through on-site visits and investigations, and will take part in exchanges based on working plans coordinated by the two sides.

In addition, the medical team will also provide Chinese enterprises’ employees and Chinese nationals in Saudi Arabia with anti-pandemic measures, self-protective equipment and consultations in traditional Chinese medicine.

The Chinese medical team poses for a group photo at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the country’s capital, on April 15. [Photo/fmprc.gov.cn]