Chinese medical supplies arrive in Cape Verde to help fight COVID-19

The first batch of medical supplies delivered by the Chinese government to assist Cape Verde in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic arrived at the international airport in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde on April 20.

The government of Cape Verde held a handover ceremony at the airport, where the Chinese Ambassador to Cape Verde Du Xiaocong and Cape Verde’s Minister of Health Arlindo do Rosario signed the handover certificate.

Du said that the COVID-19 pandemic is raging around the world, posing a major challenge to the international community and requiring countries to work together to combat it. Since the outbreak, China and Cape Verde have maintained close communication and collaboration.

Cape Verde gave sincere and valuable support to China during its most difficult time in the fight against the pandemic. Leaders and officials of the two countries exchanged letters of mutual support, and more than 300 Cape Verdean international students actively cooperated with China's anti-pandemic and preventive work, and received proper care from China. None of the students are infected with the virus, and they are all well and gradually returning to normal study and life.　

Du said the  Cape Verde government has taken prompt, pragmatic and vigorous steps to devote all its efforts to the fight against the pandemic, and has made positive progress in that fight in close cooperation with the World Health Organization and other international partners.

Today, the first batch of medical supplies donated by the Chinese government for the fight against the pandemic arrived in Cape Verde, and follow-up assistance is in preparation. The Chinese Embassy in Cape Verde, the Chinese medical expert team, Chinese enterprises and Chinese compatriots in the Cape Verde will provide assistance in any way they can to the government's initiative to combat the pandemic.

China would like to take this opportunity to further deepen the cooperation in the field of health care between China and Cape Verde. China is confident that Cape Verde will win the final victory in the fight against the virus.

In his statement, Arlindo do Rosario expressed the gratitude of Cape Verde for the first batch of medical assistance from China in the first month of the COVID-19 outbreak in Cape Verde. In addition to the supplies provided by China's Ma Yun Foundation, the Chinese helpers have greatly supported the local fight against the pandemic. Such assistance is all the more valuable at a time when China has just emerged from a very serious domestic pandemic and is still facing the daunting task of preventing and controlling a rebound.

During the most difficult time in China's fight against the pandemic, China provided full protection and proper care to the Cape Verdean students studying in China, so that none of them were infected. Cape Verde will do its utmost to ensure the health of Chinese citizens in Cape Verde, just as China has done. The COVID-19 pandemic poses major health, social and economic challenges for Cape Verde. Cape Verde urgently needs the support and assistance of its international partners. It has recently received two shipments of anti-pandemic materials from China, which has greatly enhanced its ability and confidence in the ongoing battle. On behalf of the Cape Verde government and people, Arlindo do Rosario sincerely thanked China for its assistance and wished China an early and final victory in the fight against the pandemic.　

The event was covered by mainstream media such as the Cape Verdean National Television and the national news agency.