China-Africa brotherhood bolstered in joint anti-pandemic efforts

As of June 2, China has sent a total of 148 medical workers to 11 African countries, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

Furthermore, 46 Chinese medical teams already stationed on site are also mobilized to help African nations contain the pandemic.

The Chinese medical workers are shuttling back and forth on the continent to race against the virus, which has won admiration from local medical staff and officials.

"It is a great show of solidarity," said 57-year-old Legesse Alemu, a medical doctor at a public health facility in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

"They brought with them highly needed know-how and first-hand experience, without which we would not be able to effectively respond to the virus," said Alemu.

Grateful to the Chinese experts, Burkina Faso's Minister of Health Claudine Lougue said their help will allow the country to minimize the risk of the COVID-19 spread.

"The mission was fruitful and the Chinese experts made relevant recommendations which we will contextualize according to our realities," said the health minister.

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa wrote to the leader of the visiting Chinese medical team a letter, which read, "I write to express to you, and your colleagues, my deep personal gratitude, and that of my government and the people of Zimbabwe, for your unwavering support by sharing the expertise garnered from China's victorious battle against the COVID-19 pandemic."