As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in more countries, Guangzhou sent a batch of medical supplies from Baiyun International Airport to Japan and Iran on March 14th. These supplies will arrive in Fukuoka and Gorgan, two of Guangzhou’s international sister cities, and aid their work in epidemic prevention and control.

（Photo provided by Guangzhou FAO）

（Photo provided by Guangzhou FAO）

In the near future, Guangzhou will also send donations to 10 other cities which include 3 cities in South Korea ( Kwangju, Incheon and Busan), 1 city in Japan (Noboribetsu), 5 cities in Italy ( Bari, Genoa, Milan, Padova, Turin) and 1 city in France (Lyon). The donation will include 2.55 million masks and 2200 infrared thermometers.

According to the municipal government, all 12 cities which have forged these close ties with Guangzhou are now suffering from outbreaks of COVID-19. It hopes the donation could aid the supply shortages in these regions, and express Guangzhou’s solidarity and support for its sister cities.

In addition, the government highlighted that 40 international friendship cities from 25 different counties have lent a helping hand to Guangzhou, sending not only well wishes but donations and have provided sources for medical supplies since the outbreak began.

●Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Kwangju, together with the city’s 1.5 million residents, sent best wishes for the health and safety of people in Guangzhou.

●Park Nam-chun, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, expressed full confidence in China’s ability to fight against the epidemic, and said the government and people of Incheon sincerely hope that they could lend a helping hand to China and Guangzhou during this period.

●Oh Keo-don, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, expects China to overcome the outbreak through close cooperation with both the WHO and other countries. He sent his best wishes to patients still in hospital.

●Sergio Giordani, Mayor of Padova, expressed solidarity with China in the fight against COVID-19 and said the government will spare no effort in helping the local Chinese community.

●Citizens of Yekaterinburg send donation to Guangzhou.

●Students of Max-Beckmann Schule in Frankfurt took a series of photos and sent them to its sister school, Guangzhou No.6 Middle School. They expressed solidarity, support as well as the wish to visit Guangzhou after the epidemic.

Guangzhou attaches great importance to the present situation in all of its sister cities and is maintaining contact with those severely affected by COVID-19 outbreak. At the meantime, the city is allocating supplies and organizing donations based on the advice of Chinese Embassies in the affected countries and at the request of foreign Consulates General in Guangzhou.

Author: Jasmine, Zoey (intern)

Editor: Olivia, Simon