Chinese medical supplies arrive in Serbia amid COVID-19

BELGRADE -- A large shipment of medical equipment for fighting COVID-19, with the help of the United Nations and the European Union (EU), arrived here from China on Thursday.

The shipment brought clinical and portable ventilators, masks, suits and testing kits, part of which are donated by China and its companies, said Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, who went to airport to welcome the critical shipment.

She called the flight "a beautiful example of how the world can unite in difficult times, for Serbia and globally."

"The world, and especially Europe, are going through the most difficult times since the end of the World War II and solidarity and togetherness are the most important, so that we could beat this fierce virus COVID-19," she said.

Brnabic said the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the EU have helped facilitate the flight from Tianjin, China.

Chinese companies donated equipment worth several million euros, she said.

"Today's event indeed shows very well the solidarity of humankind. You can see that Serbia, China, EU and UN -- we are all working together, doing our best and fighting together against the COVID-19 virus," said Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo.

A major donation from HBIS, a major Chinese steelmaker which employs more than 5,000 people in its Serbian branch, includes 100,000 N95 masks, 30,000 medical face shields, 25,000 COVID-19 test kits and other protective equipment.

"We hope that our friends will overcome these difficulties as soon as possible," said Song Sihai, director of HBIS Serbia.

So far 452 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Serbia with seven deaths.