Chinese assistance solidifies ties

With confirmed cases of COVID-19, spreading in Pakistan, there’s a lot of fear and panic in the society. The government of Pakistan has taken all possible measures. But limitation and scarcity of resources and capacity was felt.

A special plane from China carrying a team of eight medical experts and relief assistance reached Islamabad on March 28, 2020 to help Pakistan combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected over 1,500 people in the country.

The Chinese medical team will stay in Pakistan for two weeks and train Pakistani medical experts. Chinese assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, 300,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, and support to build a much-needed isolation hospital.

In addition to official government support, the private sector, individuals Chinese, and entrepreneurs have also donated a considerable number of medical materials and financial assistance.

Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation have donated 50,000 test kits and 500,000 face masks. Many Chinese are collecting charity and helping Pakistan.

The Chinese assistance at this challenging moment means a lot for Pakistan. COVID-19 has already turned a pandemic, and confirmed cases have reached 664,672 and deaths 30,892. Almost 200 countries and territories have witnessed the existence of deadly virus. In Pakistan, the confirmed cases are 1,526, and the death toll has reached 28. However, this figure may not be accurate as many countries do not have the capacity to test, and few countries may be hiding the facts. The statistics keep on changing.

In the last couple of months, the Chinese government and Chinese people have been brave as they took on this formidable task. Since the beginning of the outbreak, China has put people's life and health first. China acted according to the overall principle of shoring up confidence, strengthening unity, ensuring science-based control and treatment, and imposing targeted measures. China has mobilized the whole nation, set up collective control and treatment mechanisms, and acted with openness and transparency. China fought on war footing to overcome the outbreak, and has put up a strenuous struggle and made tremendous sacrifices. Government, public, media, and armed forces were on the same page, and collective effort made it possible that China has almost overcame on outbreak.

Although China lost 3,174 people, and took a substantial economic hit, but finally won against the outbreak and gained unique experience. Now China is helping the rest of the world, providing medical equipment such as ventilators, testing kits, masks, sanitizers, etc. China is also sharing its successful experience with rest of the world.

It is not the first time, but our history is full of such examples, where two iron brothers stood with each other on all difficult times. Our friendship is time-tested and all-weather. Our relations are unique in nature and pure. This friendship we have inherited from our elders and ancestors, and we have the responsibility to transfer to our next generations.

Chinese assistance to Pakistan came at a very crucial moment when Pakistan was facing an economic crisis. Lack of capacity, lack of equipment, and financial crunch might have harmed Pakistan adversely. With Chinese assistance, we heaved a sigh of relief.

People and government of Pakistan are grateful to President Xi Jinping, government of China, and people of China for their act of kindness. It has further cemented the bond of friendship between the two real iron brothers.

Zamir Ahmed Awan is a non-resident fellow at the Center for China and Globalization.

The opinions expressed here are those of the writer and do not represent the views of China Daily and China Daily website.