CAPE TOWN, May 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Parliament on Wednesday received donations from the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town in the fight against COVID-19.
The donations included surgical masks for parliamentary staff members and food parcels to be distributed by Parliament to the most vulnerable communities.
The donations were handed over by Chinese Consul General Lin Jing to Deputy Speaker Solomon Tsenoli.
Guests at the handing-over ceremony included some prominent representatives from the Chinese and local communities and various media house representatives.
Tsenoli thanked the Chinese Consulate General and the Chinese community in Cape Town for the generous donations.
The medical supplies were important for the protection of the parliamentary staff, said Tsenoli.
"This is a huge gesture, and we appreciate it," said Tsenoli.
He said one of the staff members in his office died of coronavirus late last month and was buried last Friday.
With the donated medical supplies, "we can offer protection to staff members in Parliament," Tsenoli said.
As a result of this gesture, lives "will be protected in some ways and be safe," he said.
He pledged that South Africa will continue cooperation with China in the fight against the pandemic.
South African and Chinese scientists and professionals are in regular interface, to share experiences and what needs to be done to combat this pandemic, according to Tsenoli.
"This adds to the overall relationship between us and we think it goes a long way that we must combat this together," he said.
South Africa will not be able to cope with the pandemic on its own, "but when we do it together it will make a huge impact and difference," he said.
Lin Jing said that since COVID-19 broke out in South Africa, "we have been following the situation very closely."
The South African government has taken very effective and resolute measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, he said.
"Yet we are quite aware of the vulnerable groups that are particularly suffering through this outbreak, so we are trying our best to provide assistance and help," said Lin.
He said the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town has organized a series of donations to the local government in assisting the vulnerable groups.
He said the Chinese Consulate General will continue to mobilize resources from Chinese enterprises and Chinese communities in its consular district to help the fight against COVID-19.
"At this difficult time we need to underscore solidarity and cooperation with the South African government and local communities," he said. Enditem
