UK's China Chamber of Commerce donates millions of medical supplies
The China Chamber of Commerce in the UK has donated the first batch of medical supplies to the UK.
The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, the official charity of City of London, is to distribute throughout the equipment to the NHS, care homes "and beyond".
The donation consists of 1.862 million items, donated by CCCUK member Bank of China and includes 20 ventilators, 722,000 units of medical masks, 100,000 units of N95 masks, 19,000 sets of medical protective clothing, 19,000 sets of goggles, and 1 million pairs of medical latex gloves. More are to follow, with commitments being made by CCCUK members.
The supplies will be donated to the UK’s NHS hospitals, care homes, overseas students studying in the UK, overseas Chinese in the UK, and local communities.
"The proactive and swift response from the Chinese enterprises demonstrates the unity between the UK and China, as well as their courage and resolution to fight against the pandemic," said a spokesperson today (Tuesday, April 21).
Following the assistance of the British Embassy in China, approximately 4,000 boxes of medical supplies weighing 65 tons are at Shanghai Pudong Airport ready to be delivered to London via official UK government channels. Twenty ventilators arrived in London on April 6 as part of the the first batch of medical supplies.
At the virtual donation ceremony Fang Wenjian, chairman of CCCUK and general manager of Bank of China London branch, expressed his thanks, stating that “we have not forgotten the support China has received from the British people when the pandemic was at its worst in China. Now, as we confront this difficult time in the UK, our members will consolidate forces, fulfil our social responsibilities, raise even more medical supplies for the NHS and help as much people as we can.”
Richard Burn, HM trade commissioner for China, said he was “extremely grateful for CCCUK’s generosity shown through their support for the UK in fighting against the pandemic.”
