Team of Chinese experts heading to Italy
A team of nine medical experts left Shanghai for Rome on Thursday evening to support coronavirus prevention and control in Italy. They were sent by the Red Cross Society of China.
China Eastern Airlines said it is flying the experts along with 31 tons of intensive care equipment, medical appliances, masks and anti-virus medication.
Xinhua news agency reported a foreign ministry spokesman as saying that China and countries in Europe had been in close communication since the outbreak.
Medical appliances and protective goods were sent to Italy from China on Thursday.
Geng Shuang said the two sides had formed a joint expert group made up of officials and experts from the National Health Commission of China, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
"The group held its third video conference on Wednesday, exchanging in-depth views on issues including updates on the epidemic situation, prevention and containment measures as well as diagnosis and screening, and agreed to further strengthen the sharing of experience and technologies to jointly defeat the disease and safeguard regional and global public health,” Geng said.
International solidarity and cooperation are crucial in the face of the epidemic, he said, adding that China is willing to further promote cooperation with the European side in such areas as diagnosis, treatment technology, and research in medicines and vaccines.
Geng cited ancient Roman philosopher Seneca as saying that "we are waves of the same sea, leaves of the same tree, flowers of the same garden,” expressing the hope that the international community will win the war against COVID-19 through joint efforts.
A team of nine medical experts left Shanghai for Italy on Thursday evening.
A total of 31 tons of medical equipments and medications are taken to Italy.
