Representatives of Jalisco, Mexico pose for a photo with medical supplies donated by the Xiamen government. [Photo/WeChat account: XIAMENFAO]
The government of Xiamen, Fujian province recently received a video from Ismael Del Toro Castro, mayor of Guadalajara, capital of the state of Jalisco in central Mexico, in which he thanked the city for its assistance during the battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Other friendship cities, including Trier, Germany also expressed their gratitude for Xiamen's help through media reports and social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter.
So far, the coastal city in southeastern China has donated 140,000 N95 masks and 130,000 ordinary medical masks to 15 friendship cities worldwide. It has also shared its experience in controlling and preventing the disease with its international partners.
Xiamen sends its fourth batch of anti-epidemic supplies to help friendship cities, including Durban in South Africa, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, and Phuket in Thailand on April 26. [Photo/fao.xm.gov.cn]
During the outbreak, Xiamen also helped arrange 34 planes from countries including Austria, Monaco, Ukraine and the Philippines to transport 460 tons of medical supplies from the city. Many non-governmental organizations helped out international partners in a variety of ways.
"The city has been upholding its commitment to a shared future for mankind in the face of a global crisis and will fulfill its duty in helping maintain regional and international public health security," said Li Xiaoping, director of the city's foreign affairs office.
As the pandemic continues to spread globally, the city will take more measures to curb the disease and explore new ways to promote international cooperation.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
