Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong on Tuesday has said that his country is touched by the kindness shown by India in helping China tackle the novel coronavirus outbreak that claimed so far almost 1900 lives in the country.
The envoy also acknowledged Prime Minister Modi’s letter of condolence to Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressing his recognition of the outstanding effort made by Beijing to tackle with the outbreak. PM Modi also offered India’s assistance to face the challenge.
Ambassador Sun said, he was deeply touched by the kindness of the Indian friends at this difficult times. All these reminded him of the time when Dr Kotnis saved many lives and made great contribution to the Chinese people’s liberation cause, referring to Indian doctor Dwarkanath Kotnis who died while treating injured Chinese soldiers in conflict with Japan in the 1940s.
Dr Kotnis is considered as a revered figure in China.
The Indian side assured the readiness to stand by China and offer the assistance that India can, to fight the outbreak.
He said, he is also reminded of his experience during the outbreak of SARS in 2003 when Sun Weidong had the honour to receive a delegation from India led by the then Foreign Minister George Fernandes, who visited Shanghai during the epidemic.
He asserted that China has put in place multi-level control and prevention mechanisms to win the battle against coronavirus. The envoy said China allocated RMB 80 billion to contain the disease and the government has adequate resources and policy tools to cope with economic fluctuations following the epidemic.
Officially identified as Covid-19, the disease originated in Wuhan in last December, has spread to more than 72,000 people and until now killed about 1,900 in China.
Last week, China released a list of donor countries those offered to help during the on-going crisis.The Chinese foreign ministry released the 57-country list comprising 33 countries that had given medical supplies, 17, which had offered to provide the same and seven more that had offered money and material aid, but India wasn’t listed among those 57 countries.
India is sending a consignment of medical supplies to China to support Beijing in combating coronavirus outbreak, Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri said on Sunday.
China said it is in need of medical masks, gloves and suits mainly for the medical staff attending the virus affected patients. As masks have become inadequate in the country in view of the nationwide demand in the last three weeks.
