Feng Biao (L), Chinese ambassador to Syria, and Ahmad Khleifawi (R), the assistant health minister of Syria, attend a handover ceremony at the Syrian Health Ministry in Damascus, capital of Syria, on June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
Syria receives a batch of Chinese donation of medical supplies to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including masks, overalls and disinfectants.
DAMASCUS, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Health Ministry received a new batch of Chinese medical equipment on Thursday as part of the cooperation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic between the two countries.
Masks, overalls, and disinfectants were among the new batch of aid provided by China and presented to the Syrian side by the Chinese embassy in Damascus.
At a handover ceremony held at the Health Ministry in Damascus, Ahmad Khleifawi, the assistant health minister, told reporters that the Syrian side appreciates the Chinese aid.
"We always appreciate what is being given by China to Syria and we all know that there are batches of aid that will be provided by China to Syria," Khleifawi said.
Chinese medical equipment is seen at the Syrian Health Ministry in Damascus, capital of Syria, on June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
He further voiced gratitude from the Syrian people and the government to China.
For his side, Feng Biao, Chinese ambassador to Syria, told reporters that China will continue to cooperate with the Syrian side to counter the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinese medical equipment is seen at the Syrian Health Ministry in Damascus, capital of Syria, on June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
"We will continue to enhance cooperation with the Syrian side to counter this pandemic and to continue to enhance cooperation in the health sector," he added.
Thursday's shipment is the second batch of aid from China to help Syria's fighting against coronavirus.
Chinese medical equipment is seen at the Syrian Health Ministry in Damascus, capital of Syria, on June 4, 2020. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)
On April 15, China donated a batch of COVID-19 test kits to Syria to help its fight against the virus.
On April 23, a video-conference was held between Chinese and Syrian medical experts for sharing the experiences in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Syria has so far recorded 123 COVID-19 cases, including 53 recoveries and six deaths. ■