Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Wang Shunqing (R) speaks during the handover ceremony for protective gear donations from China in Maribor, Slovenia, April 14, 2020. The Chinese Embassy in Slovenia on Tuesday handed over protective gear donated by Chinese organizations, to support Slovenia's fight against COVID-19. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)
LJUBLJANA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Slovenia on Tuesday handed over protective gear donated by Chinese organizations here at a civil defence warehouse, to support Slovenia's fight against COVID-19.
The protective gear, including face masks and other protective equipment, were donated by Chinese cities that are twinned with Slovenian cities, Chinese local governments, Chinese companies, the Association of Chinese Businesses in Slovenia, and the Chinese Olympic Committee, to ramp up protection of the country's critical services, notebly that of police officers and health care workers.
Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Wang Shunqing commended the donations and the bilateral relationship.
"We will not forget when China fought against the epidemic at a difficult time, Slovenia provided valuable assistance to us. The Chinese culture stresses gratitude, this time China's aid testifies to this spirit," he said.
Wang said the coronavirus epidemic tells us that the destiny of all countries in the world is connected, and solidarity and cooperation is the only choice.
Slovenian Ministry of Defence State Secretary Damijan Jaklin expressed thanks for the assistance from China, saying the cooperation between China and Slovenia in various fields would be strengthened by the experience of fighting the epidemic together.
Later in the day, Wang went to Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia, and witnessed another donations from Chinese cities including Chongqing, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Huai'an.
A total of 1,220 cases have been reported in Slovenia with 56 deaths, according to the official data released on Tuesday.
