The medical supplies included medical ventilators and masks, plus antibacterial clothing and gloves, worth US$500,000 in total.
They were then transported to Wuhan that evening by a Vietnam Airlines aircraft, which also transported 11 Chinese citizens back to Wuhan and flew Vietnamese citizens home from Hubei Province on its return leg.
The handover ceremony was attended by Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung, Chairwoman of Vietnam Red Cross Society Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu, and Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Xiong Bo.
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister To Anh Dung affirmed that the gift illustrated Vietnam’s wish to share in the nCoV-caused difficulties facing the Chinese people as well as to illustrate the solidarity and mutual support between the two countries.
He noted that Vietnam highly appreciated the Chinese Party and Government leaders’ proper directions, and huge efforts made by local authorities and people, in the fight against nCoV, expressing his belief that China will soon control the epidemic.
The Vietnamese diplomat also asserted that Vietnam is taking drastic measures to prevent and control the epidemic and protect people’s health, while actively working and sharing information, experience and research findings with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other countries; and promoting ASEAN’s common efforts to stand side by side with China and other nations in the fight against the epidemic as ASEAN Chair in 2020.
In reply, Ambassador Xiong Bo appreciated the precious assistance provided by the Vietnamese Party, Government and people, stressing that it was a huge source of encouragement to help Chinese people overcome this difficult time.
He once again conveyed his thanks to the Vietnamese leaders for their sympathies to their Chinese counterparts, to the Vietnam Red Cross Society for its fundraising activities, and to Vietnam’s northern border provinces for helping Chinese localities contain nCoV.
On the occasion, the Vietnam Red Cross Society also donated medical supplies and equipment worth US$100,000 to China.
