Pakistan to soon overcome COVID-19 challenge: Chinese envoy Yao Jing

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that Beijing is confident that Pakistan will soon overcome the challenge presented by the coronavirus pandemic which has infected more than 3.34 million people worldwide and killed over 237,000.

In an interview with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, Ambassador Jing said Pakistan had a lower mortality rate of the virus. “About 60% of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30. Patients infected with the novel coronavirus are mainly young people, with mild symptoms. It is easier to treat them,” he said.

He added, “Like the traditional Chinese medicine, Pakistan also has a herbal system with good effect on treatment.”

Jing said the cooperation between China and Pakistan has set a good example of international cooperation in the fight against the virus.

“When China was facing a severe challenge because of the coronavirus, Pakistan did its best to help us and in return, Beijing has also helped Islamabad by sending medical teams who have expertise in fighting the virus, relief aid and other things,” he said.

China has sent several consignments of aid relief since it stemmed the spread of the virus in the country.

Last month a special Pakistan International Airline flight arrived carrying 52 tonnes of aid to help Pakistan fight in the coronavirus. The aid included protective kits, masks, testing kits and other medical supplies.

Earlier, the Chinese government sent 12,000 test kits, 300,000 masks, and 10,000 units of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Pakistan along with $4 million to build a separate hospital for coronavirus patients.

Pakistan has so far reported more than 19,000 confirmed cases and 340 deaths from the virus. 

China, on the other hand, has seen a reduction in the number of cases in the country with just two cases reported on May 2. Overall, the country has reported 82,877 confirmed cases of the virus and 4,633 deaths.