China sets a global precedent in war against COVD-19: FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: China on Thursday reiterated its willingness to continue supporting Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, as life in the birthplace of coronavirus began to return to normal with most departments, including transport, becoming functional again.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi extended his wishes to the Chinese people for getting through the adversity with resilience, stressing that countries around the world were following China’s model of recovery.

Qureshi met Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing, who called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad and reviewed the latest situation arising out of the coronavirus. Yao said in the wake of the quickly spreading virus cases in Pakistan, China would continue its support for its “iron brother”.
Qureshi congratulated the Chinese Ambassador and his government for successfully dealing with the pandemic. He thanked China for the assistance in this time of need, saying that the equipment given by China would build Pakistan’s capacity to fight against the virus.

“It is most heartening to note that life in China has started to return to normal with most departments including transport becoming functional again,” he said. “China’s model of recovery is now being followed by countries all over the world.”

“Pakistan is learning from the experiences of Chinese doctors and paramedical staff, who have successfully treated their coronavirus-hit population,” the foreign minister said. He also extended his wishes to the Chinese public for getting through the adversity with resilience.

Earlier, the foreign minister telephoned his Australian counterpart Marise Payne on Thursday and discussed with her the situation arising out of global pandemic and matters of mutual interests, Radio Pakistan reported.

Qureshi apprised his Australian counterpart of the steps taken by Pakistan to contain the spread of the contagion. He pointed out that the developing countries were facing difficulties due to limited economic resources to cope with the challenge.

Payne said that the Australian government had allocated A$130 billion for a job keepers programme, to save the country’s businesses from losses from the global pandemic. Qureshi appreciated the steps taken by Australia in the fight against Covid-19.

He also lauded the steps taken by the Australian government for the wellbeing of Pakistani nationals, especially the students. He highlighted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for restructuring of the debt of the developing countries so that they could divert their resources to meet this challenge and save precious human lives.

Drawing attention towards the plight of innocent Kashmiri people, Qureshi said the Indian government had confined the people of occupied Kashmir to their homes since August 5 last year. He added India was trying to change demography of the disputed territory in violation of all international laws.

China reassured that its huge support to Pakistan will continue and there will be no shortage of medical equipment to combat COVID-19, reports Gwadar Pro App on Thursday.

Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said that “it is Pakistan that China has launched most aids to control the deadly vitrus.”

Likewise, the National Disaster Management Authority informed that China made a huge contribution in medical relief assistance to Pakistan amid the pandemic outbreak and China made 80% of the total aid Pakistan has received so far.

Since the outbreak of the epidemic, all sectors of China have been continuously supporting Pakistan. On Mar 31st, Beijing Lianxin Charity Foundation donated a batch of medical supplies to the Pakistani embassy in Beijing.

Those supplies were purchased with funds which were voluntarily donated by Chinese citizens. The youngest donors are only 13 years old.