EU delivering 12 tons of protective equipment to China
By Zhang Penghui
People's Daily app
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European Union headquarters in Brussels. (Photo: AFP)

Brussels (People's Daily) -- The European Union (EU) is delivering 12 tons of protective equipment to China to help in the fight against the new coronavirus.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Mission to the EU said, "It demonstrates the active support of EU institutions and the governments and people of the member states for the Chinese government and people. China sincerely appreciates this effort."

According to local media, the EU and its member countries quickly collected a load of desired protected material. The goods are already en route to the People's Republic.

The spokesperson said, “Safeguarding regional and global public health security is a shared responsibility of the international community. China is currently at a critical time in fighting the pneumonia outbreak caused by the novel coronavirus.”

The spokesperson recalls the recent contact between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

In a recent phone call with President von der Leyen, Li pointed out that the Chinese government is conducting epidemic prevention and control in an open, transparent, effective and orderly fashion and is making every possible effort to maintain the normal life of Chinese citizens and foreign citizens in China.

“We will continue to step up information sharing, policy communication as well as scientific and technological cooperation with the EU side. The Chinese government and people have every confidence, resolve and ability to win the battle against the epidemic,” Li said.

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said in a statement, “the EU stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to assist China in its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The Commission will continue providing its support to China.”