MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese government has committed to send assistance to the Philippines to help it deal with the coronavirus outbreak, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperon Li Jianzhao on Twitter.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke on the telephone on Sunday, March 15, where his Chinese counterpart spoke about sending medical supplies to help the Philippines combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
“China is willing to do its utmost to provide medical supplies to the Philippines in the fight against COVID-19 epidemic,” said Lijian.
On March 15, State Councilor & Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Lopez Locsin. Wang Yi said, China is willing to do its utmost to provide medical supplies to the Philippines in the fight against #COVID19 epidemic. @teddyboylocsin pic.twitter.com/zYnfmRoGdj
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) March 15, 2020
Another spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying, said that medical supplies and experts will soon fly to the Philippines.
“We feel the same as the Philippine people are going through difficult times. We will do our utmost to help,” she said.
The phone conversation was confirmed by Locsin in his own Twitter account.
It is happening even as we speak. I spoke to the Chinese State Counselor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday. A good friend. We think alike about both our countries. https://t.co/iSKuPw61x1
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) March 16, 2020
The Chinese government has been widely criticized in China and abroad for its supposed lack of transparency and delayed response to the viral disease, which began in Wuhan, China late last year.
Some state-owned hospitals in Metro Manila have been appealing to the public for donations as they run out of protective gear in battling the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Philippines has so far recorded 8 deaths and 140 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Two people have recovered from the viral disease.
Worldwide, the virus has killed more than 6,000 people and infected at least 153,648 individuals.