The People’s Republic of China today has donated 500,000 surgical masks to supplement Singapore’s stockpile.
Senior Minister for Health Lam Pin Min in a Facebook post on Tuesday (5 May) said that he received the donation — which also included 100,000 KN95 masks — on behalf of the Ministry of Health from Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong.
Dr Lam noted that Singapore and China have been providing “mutual support” since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Earlier in February this year, Singapore dispatched diagnostic test kits and medical supplies to China to help communities affected by the coronavirus,” he said, adding that Singapore will continue to “work closely with China and the global community to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic”.
In another statement, Dr Lam said that Singapore and China’s cooperation “spans many sectors, including the health, economic, and people-to-people spheres”.
“We have facilitated the repatriation of each other’s nationals, and provided humanitarian assistance to each other in times of need, with contributions from all walks of life.
“Our officials have also been sharing best practices, and discussing initiatives to facilitate trade, the continued flow of essential goods and personnel, and joint research and development, for the benefit of both our countries as well as the international community,” he added.
Noting that Singapore and China commemorate the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations this year, Dr Lam said that such a “robust collaboration during this difficult time is testament to the strong friendship between our countries”.
“If countries can cooperate and work together, we will be in a better position to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
