China and its Guangdong province provide second batch of cash donation and medical supplies to FSM for COVID-19 prevention and control

On May 21, 2020, Ambassador Huang Zheng presented the second cheque on behalf of the Chinese government and another batch of medical supplies donated by Guangdong province and the city of Zhongshan to T.H. Livingston A. Taulung, FSM Secretary of Health & Social Affairs and Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force.

A handover ceremony was held at a FSM national government warehouse. Mr. Moses E. Pretrick, assistant secretary of health and social affairs, and Counselor Zhang Weitao, deputy chief of mission, among others, were in attendance.

In his remarks, Ambassador Huang noted that H.E.Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly via video link. Championing the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, President Xi Jinping expounded China's response to COVID-19, emphasized that solidarity and cooperation is the most powerful weapon for defeating the virus, called on upholding WHO's leadership role, put forward a series of proposals and measures, showcasing that China acts responsibly as a major country, and also demonstrating very practical and far-reaching significance in boosting global confidence, promoting international cooperation and outlining future global governance system.

Ambassador Huang emphasized that guided by the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Chinese government has acted in an open, transparent and responsible manner. It has been actively engaging in international cooperation in the humanitarian spirit of mutual assistance.

To put into action President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, China made this donation to the FSM for COVID-19 prevention and control to implement the outcomes of the China and Pacific island countries vice ministers' special meeting on COVID-19. China looks forward to expand concrete and practical cooperation in various fields and further increase sub-national exchanges and cooperation after COVID-19. China stands ready to continue to help the FSM side strengthen pandemic response capacity within its power, jointly put forward the China-FSM comprehensive strategic partnership, and collaboratively build a community with a shared future for humanity as well as a community of common health for humanity.

Secretary Taulung sincerely appreciated China's second help against the pandemic, which showcases the great friendship between the two nations, local governments and peoples based on the fundamental bedrock of the One-China Principle. He highly commended the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his speech delivered at the opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly. He hoped that China will develop coronavirus vaccine at an early date and then make it available to other countries, including the FSM.

By making full use of this batch of medical supplies, FSM hopes to strengthen its cooperation with China to boost global COVID-19 prevention and control and therefore beat the pandemic, make joint efforts to build a a community with a shared future for humanity, and to elevate the China-FSM comprehensive strategic partnership to a new high.

On May 18, donated by Guangdong province and the city of Zhongshan, another batch of medical supplies arrived at the Pohnpei International Airport, including surgical masks, medical gloves, protective clothing and medical isolation gowns.

The cash donation is under the China-Pacific Islands Countries Cooperation Fund against COVID-19. The handover ceremony was fully reported by FSM Office of the President and its official Facebook account, and local media.