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Chinese medical specialists arrive in Iran to help combat coronavirus

Saturday, 29 February 2020 7:59 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 29 February 2012 12:02 PM ]

Image shows a team of Chinese medical specialists being welcomed by officials in Iran on February 29, 2020. (Photo via social media)

A team of Chinese medical specialists have arrived in Iran to assist in the country’s fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“Chinese medical specialists have arrived in Iran along with a new shipment of supplies from China," Beijing's Ambassador to Tehran Chang Hua tweeted in Farsi on Saturday.

تیم متخصصان پزشکی چین با محموله جدید اهدای چین وارد تهران شد. pic.twitter.com/a2PdwOXiCs
— Chang Hua (@AmbChangHua) February 29, 2020

According to a tweet by Iran’s mission in China, a second shipment of Chinese aid supplies comprising of 50,000 coronavirus test kits and oxygen production machines have also been prepared to be sent to Tehran on Saturday night.

دومین محموله کمکهای پزشکی چین شامل بیش از پنجاه هزار کیت پیشرفته تشخیص سریع کرونا و دستگاه های اکسیژن ساز امشب با پرواز باری ماهان از گوانگجو عازم تهران میشود. پیامهای همدردی و حمایت و کمکهای اقشار مختلف چین ادامه داشته و در روزهای اتی هم محموله های دیگری ارسال خواهد شد. pic.twitter.com/WgvRyXSAM7
— IRAN in CHINA🇮🇷🇨🇳 (@IraninChina) February 28, 2020

A first batch of aid supplies arrived in Iran on Friday and additional shipments will be sent in the future, according to reports.

'Worst of times reveals the best in people'

On Friday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian said the country has sent aid shipments to Iran as a sign of gratitude towards Iran’s earlier assistance to China, which has been struggling to contain the outbreak since December.

“The Iranian government has given China sincere support and assistance after the epidemic broke out. We thank them and will remember that for always,” Zhao said.

“Virus knows no borders, but the worst of times reveals the best in people,” he added.

The Chinese assistance comes as Iran had previously sent aid to China and expressed support for the country’s battle against the outbreak.

#Tehran's landmark Azadi tower lit up in solidarity with Chinese people as they fight novel coronavirus.

Stay strong #China, stay strong #Wuhan!

🇮🇷 🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/06HW4eeS4R
— Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) February 19, 2020

Last week, Iran sent two million protective face masks - the equivalent of one day of the country’s total mask production – to help China address its needs in countering the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing's solidarity with Iran and praised Zarif for being the first foreign official to voice support for China against the disease.

The Chinese foreign minister also called for scientific cooperation with Iran in fields related to countering the pandemic.

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