‘Dhaka to win against COVID-19 with support from Beijing’

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming on Thursday said Bangladesh, with the support from China and other countries, will be able to win against COVID-19.

“Be confident, Bangladesh. You will win,” said the Ambassador assuring that if China can win, Bangladesh can also win this battle.

The Chinese Ambassador made the remarks at a briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after handing over medical logistics to Bangladesh.

Responding to a question, he said he had a discussion with Bangladesh Health Minister on sending a team of medical experts to Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh and China are working on it,” said the Ambassador, emphasising on continuing experience sharing and exchanges through online on issues related to COVID-19.

Ambassador Jiming said more medical logistics will be coming to Bangladesh from China on March 28 and 29. “This is just a beginning. Our support to Bangladesh will continue.”

The second batch of medical logistics, including 10,000 testing kits, 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) and 1,000 infrared thermometers, arrived here from Kunming on Thursday afternoon.

Director General of Health Directorate Prof Dr Abul Kalam Azad received the medical supplies.

“Today is Independence Day in Bangladesh. I’m very happy go handover the media supplies in such a special day,” he said.

The Chinese Ambassador recalled Bangladesh’s support with the initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when China received medical logistics from Bangladesh for Wuhan. “We are doing something in return.”

Ambassador Jiming said Bangladesh and China are close and trustworthy partners and the two countries are working very closely in all areas.

“China is standing beside Bangladesh. This support will continue,” he added.

Prof Abul Kalam said this is a symbol of two countries true friendship.

He said Bangladesh will utilise Chinese experience as they have become successful in dealing with coronavirus.

The second batch medical logistics were brought by a special aircraft of the government of China.

The flight carrying the medical logistics landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 4:25pm, an official at the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka told UNB.

In the face of this unprecedented global pandemic, China reiterated its strong commitment to helping friends in need and building a community of shared future for mankind. “We are together,” said the Embassy.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the government is working to have adequate stock of medical logistics to deal with the situation.

“We need it. We need to have enough stock,” he said adding that the government is also allowing private companies to import testing kits and other medical logistics.

China recently announced its decision to donate emergency medical supplies, including a large number of test kits, to Bangladesh to fight coronavirus or Covid-19.

This Chinese Emergency Humanitarian Aid Project includes coronavirus test kits for 10,000 people, 15,000 medical N95 masks, 10,000 medical protective clothing and 1,000 infrared thermometers.

Meanwhile, two special flights from China will soon arrive in Dhaka with the donated medical supplies from Jack Ma Foundation.

The first flight will fly from Changsha on March 28 and will contain 30,000 coronavirus testing reagents. The second one will take off from Ningbo on the same day and will contain 300,000 masks, including 30,000 N95 medical masks and 270,000 single-use surgical masks.

These two special flights will land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Bangladesh Ambassador to China Mahbub Uz Zaman, who is touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told UNB on Wednesday.

Earlier, Jack Ma, co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba Group, announced to help Bangladesh and some other Asian nations contain the spread of coronavirus. Ma promised to donate emergency supplies, including masks, test kits, protective suits, plus ventilators and thermometers.

The other nations are – Afghanistan, Cambodia, Laos, the Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Local companies are also producing PPE and masks to address the needs.

Bangladesh announced its first coronavirus cases on March 8.

source: UNB