China's experts to help government combat coronavirus

A special Chinese plane, carrying relief assistance from the Chinese government and a group of medical professionals, arrived here Saturday to assist Pakistan in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Mohammad Afzal, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, and Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing received the relief assistance here at the Islamabad International Airport.
A team of eight Chinese medical experts also arrived via the special flight, who will remain in Pakistan for two weeks, and assist Pakistani doctors and health experts in battling the coronavirus, in light of their experience and success in China.
Qureshi welcomed the Chinese guests and thanked the government and the people of China, on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, for their timely support in this difficult time.
China is extending full support to Pakistan in its efforts to contain the coronavirus. China's assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, 300,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, and support to build an isolation hospital.
A considerable amount of donations from private sources from China has also arrived in Pakistan. Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation have donated 50,000 test kits and 500,000 face masks.
China also handed over two tons of masks, test kits, ventilators, medical protective clothes through Khunjerab.
Talking to media after receiving the medical equipment at the airport, Foreign Minister Qureshi said China had expressed solidarity with Pakistan by providing medicines, necessary equipment and testing kits to help Pakistan in fighting the COVID-19.
"Chinese have shown to the world that they are friends of Pakistan. They care for us...we stand with each other in difficult times. I was in China to express solidarity with them and today I am here to receive their medical team, who will share their experience with Pakistan," the foreign minister said.
He also thanked the Chinese leadership and the people for sending the medical equipment and the relief assistance. He said it was government's top priority to protect health workers, who had put their lives in danger, while taking care of coronavirus patients.
He said that the number of ventilators and the testing capacity would be doubled. He said a walk-through scanner would also arrive in Pakistan, which would enhance testing capacity considerably.
He expressed confidence that Pakistani medical staff would benefit from the experience of Chinese doctors to treat the coronavirus patients. Qureshi also commended the Chinese government for effectively containing the virus and responding to the challenge like a "true one nation".
"The Pakistan-China all-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership has acquired greater strength and depth in recent years, guided by the shared vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Xi Jinping," said Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui.
She said that President Dr Arif Alvi, accompanied by Foreign Minister Qureshi and Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, visited Beijing on 16-17 March 2020 to express Pakistan's abiding support and solidarity with China in its fight against coronavirus.
"Pakistan and China continue to collaborate closely and coordinate relief assistance to counter the formidable challenges posed by the COVID-19," she said. Talking to media at the airport, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said that his country would continue to support Pakistan in containing the pandemic.
"Our two countries are true friends and good brothers, who are always there for each other, come rain or shine. China strongly supports Pakistan in fighting COVID-19," Ambassador Jing added.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi also visited the Islamabad International Airport and inspected passengers' scanning system, and the health counter set up at the airport in view of the pandemic.
The foreign minister discussed in the detail, the scanning process of the passengers with the doctors on duty, and also gave necessary instructions to prevent the spread of the virus. He also inspected the isolation room set up at the airport, and reviewed the facilities provided to the passengers.