Covid-19 – Chinese solidarity shipment (19 Mar. 2020)

As Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, announced yesterday, France received, yesterday and today, two consignments of medical equipment sent by air by the Chinese authorities. The medical equipment delivered is intended for use by the healthcare workers who have been mobilized and who are on the front line in the battle against the epidemic. This solidarity shipment notably includes one million surgical masks, 1.5 million protective gloves and 10,000 protective suits.

Jean-Yves le Drian spoke at length this morning with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in order to thank him for this gesture of solidarity on the part of China and for the additional shipments – already completed and future - by Chinese companies to combat the Covid-19 epidemic, in response to the solidarity shown by France with China, and in particular with the healthcare workers in Wuhan in February.

In the face of the global challenge posed by Covid-19, France and its European and international partners are working to strengthen cooperation in the fight against epidemics at the bilateral and multilateral level. This challenge will be met through cooperation, coordination and joint efforts.