China donates medical supplies to PNG to help fight against COVID-19

A shipment of medical supplies donated by the Chinese government to help Papua New Guinea (PNG) fight COVID-19 arrived in Port Moresby, the country’s capital, on May 11.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Chinese Ambassador to PNG Xue Bing handed over the medical supplies to PNG Foreign Minister Patrick Pruaitch.

Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Xue Bing (R3) and Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea Patrick Pruaitch (R4) attend the donation ceremony in Port Moresby on May 11. [Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea/Handout via Xinhua]

Xue said that in face of the COVID-19 pandemic China and PNG have always stood with and supported each other. Through arduous efforts, China has made important strategic progress in its fight against the virus and gained active results on coordinating pandemic prevention and control with economic and social development.

Since the pandemic outbreak, the government and people of PNG have firmly supported China. The PNG president expressed his support for China in a letter to the Chinese president and held a charity luncheon to raise funds for China’s fight against the virus. China returned the favor by strongly supporting PNG’s fight against the pandemic when the virus begun to hit the country, said Xue, adding that this is the second batch of medical supplies donated by China. It fully demonstrates China’s support and attention to the pandemic situation in PNG.

Chinese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Xue Bing (L2) and Foreign Minister of Papua New Guinea Patrick Pruaitch (R3) present a handover certificate in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, May 11, 2020. [Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea/Handout via Xinhua]

Xue added that in face of the sudden hit of the COVID-19 pandemic, solidarity and cooperation are the most powerful weapons for international society in defeating the virus. China will continue to help developing countries including PNG and the Pacific Island countries fight the pandemic by sharing information and technology and providing medical supplies, and build a community with a shared future for mankind with concrete actions.

Pruaitch received the donation on behalf of the PNG government and conveyed the heartfelt gratitude of the PNG government and people to the Chinese president, Chinese government and people. A friend in need is a friend indeed. China once again donated a large amount of medical supplies to PNG. It shows the two countries’ true friendship and will greatly improve PNG’s capability in fighting the pandemic.

PNG admires China’s achievements in fighting the virus and said its anti-pandemic measures are effective. China sets an example for other countries and is worth studying. In face of the global challenge of COVID-19, international society needs strong solidarity and cooperation. PNG supports China’s continuing to play an active role in the global fight against the virus and is sure the two countries’ anti-pandemic cooperation will further deepen their friendship and that of their peoples, said Pruaitch.