Bangkok (People’s Daily) – China's donation of 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 personal protective equipment, 10,000 N95 masks and 100,000 test kits for Philippines to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Manila, capital city of the country. The charter flight landed around 5 am on Saturday in Manila local time, said the Chinese embassy in the Philippines.
China's donation of medical supplies is loaded to the charter flight in Beijing, China. (Video provided to People's Daily)
Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian welcomed the arrival of the donation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport of Manila, along with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin. They also attended a simplified handover ceremony held at the airport cargo yard. Considering the worsening situation of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the attendees made a bow with hands folded in front instead of shaking hands.
China's donation of medical supplies arrives at in Manila, Philippines. (Photos provided to People's Daily)
Huang quoted a Filipino proverb, “A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound”, in his speech at the ceremony, to show the importance of cooperation. “China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors across the sea, both countries have always helped each other and supported each other when facing difficulties. China will do its utmost to help the Philippines overcome the current challenge.” Huang said.
China's donation of medical supplies arrives at in Manila, Philippines.
"We firmly believe that with our joint efforts in fighting the virus hand in hand, the China-Philippines relationship will be further deepened and strengthened," Huang voiced hope that the Philippines will win its fight against the deadly viral disease.
China's donation of medical supplies arrives at in Manila, Philippines.
Locsin said Beijing's donation is "a tremendous help" as the Philippines addresses the COVID-19 situation. "It is a model for what the rest of the world should be doing. Instead of blaming each other from what's happening, we should all start working together to help each other," he said in an interview.
China's donation of medical supplies arrives at in Manila, Philippines.
Locsin also lauded the measures implemented by China in containing the disease, particularly its initial move to lock down Wuhan City. "The measures China took at the start of the COVID-19 epidemic were the right ones and in fact, we have adopted it – the complete isolation of communities because it's the only way. Or as our president says, 'We need to starve the virus of victims. The one who showed the way is China,’" he said.
China's donation of medical supplies arrives at in Manila, Philippines.
The Philippines as of Friday confirmed 230 cases of the respiratory disease, including 18 deaths and eight recoveries. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte placed Luzon under lockdown from Tuesday midnight until April 12 to arrest the coronavirus spread, limiting the movement of people. He has also placed the entire Philippines under a state of calamity to give the national and local governments access to critical quick response funds.