The 30,000 sheep donated by Mongolia will be delivered to people of Wuhan and Hubei Province, Chai Wenrui, Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia, said during an interview with a China Central Television (CCTV) news program on August 17.
Chai introduced the latest information of sheep donation declared by Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga on Feburary 27 during a visit to Beijing, capital of China.
Chai Wenrui, Chinese Ambassador to Mongolia, at the interview. (Photo: Screeshot from CCTV)
Asked why Mongolia chose sheep as a gift, Chai explained that sheep are gentle creatures considered a symbol of sincerity and warmth, and an incomparable gift in Mongolia.
They also have a healthy nutritional value for Mongolians who wish to help Chinese people increase their immunity and resistance to diseases, he said.
(File Photo: Xinhua)
The 30,000 sheep were collected over a month nationwide with special funds after the president announced his decision to send sheep to China, Chai said.
He said the donation was a demonstration of the deep friendship between China and Mongolia.
He noted that according to the quarantine regulations of the two countries, the flock would be quarantined in its original pasture for some time and then the special quarantine station at the border for another 30 days before being quarantined in Erenhot, North China's Inner Mongolia and later sent straight to the slaughterhouse.
The Mongolian people have shown great sympathy and support for Chinese people during the fight against COVID-19.
"A lady in her 70s left money at the Chinese Embassy in Mongolia without a name," Chai said. He cited that many children drew pictures expressing their support for China, and Mongolian children in Beijing donated 900 yuan of lucky money to Wuhan and two other places.
The Mongolian people have paid great attention to the development of coronavirus vaccine in China.
"China is willing to prioritize and share the vaccine research results with Mongolia," said Chai.
(Translated by Yang Mengzhuo, edited by Huang Jingjing)