Chinese ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming has said that they would stay with Bangladesh in this time of crisis and work together to fight off the coronavirus, and overcome the impact on both countries economies.
“We shall stay with Bangladesh in building a community of common health,” he said in an open letter sent to media, appreciating the gesture of Bangladeshi people and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina towards China during their own crisis.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed. The heart-touching actions speak of the long-term and profound friendship between the people of China and Bangladesh,” he said, referring to the Prime Minister’s letter to President Xi Jinping, donation of medical accessories and special prayers in different parts of the country when the virus first emerged in the Wuhan city of China.
“We are deeply touched by the people of Bangladesh as you firmly stand by the Chinese people in the fight against COVID-19,” he said. “We shall stay with Bangladesh in this war against the common enemy,” he said.
“We shall stay with Bangladesh in the implementation of key cooperation projects to make sure that both during and after the epidemic, Bangladeshi workers on the projects will remain employed and the construction will go on as long as the situation permits.
“We shall stay with Bangladesh in our bilateral trade and supply chains to help Bangladesh stabilize its market share and keep local factories up and running to produce critical medical equipment, with the Chinese airlines remaining in operation,” he wrote in the letter.
He said the impact of the epidemic on China and Bangladesh’s economies is 'temporary and controllable'. “The Chinese side will work hand in hand with the government of Bangladesh and all sectors of Bangladeshi society to contain the situation, to overcome the temporary difficulties and to emerge from the crisis with even stronger partnership”. Praising that Bangladeshi government has undertaken a series of resolute, strong and effective measures to curb the disease, he said there are inevitably concerns over how the situation will evolve.
“At this crucial stage in the fight against the epidemic, the Embassy of China wishes to express its full confidence in Bangladesh and the solidarity of the local Chinese community with our Bangladeshi friends”.
China has donated 40,500 test kits, 15,000 surgical N95 masks, 300,000 medical masks, 10,000 protective gowns and 1,000 infrared thermometers to Bangladesh for medical workers and others who are most in need.
More supplies will arrive in the near future, the ambassador said. He said the Chinese embassy here is also going to organize a video conference between top Chinese medical experts and Bangladeshi doctors and nurses to provide training and instructions for managing the disease.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh. The ambassador said over the years ‘pragmatic cooperation’ in all fields has been greatly expanded, which benefits not only the two countries but also the entire region.
“Through solidarity and mutual support, China and Bangladesh will prevail over this outbreak, and together we shall embrace a brighter future for mankind,” he said.
