Izah Azahari

To show support and strengthen ties between China and Brunei, the Government of the People’s Republic of China donated 100,000 N95 respirators and 1,000 disposable isolation gowns while the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Brunei Darussalam donated BND60,000 to the Ministry of Health (MoH) in curbing the outbreak of COVID-19 in Brunei Darussalam.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam Yu Hong presented the donation to Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar during a ceremony at the Al-‘Afiah Hall of the MoH.

According to the Ambassador, China was the first country to report COVID-19 and the first country to fight the outbreak, where during the most difficult time they received support and sympathy from His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Brunei Government and its people.

His Majesty sent messages to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, while Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote encouraging words on a message board, and people came to the embassy to express support to China.

It was also shared that the government had previously donated half a million US dollars to the Hubei Charity Federation.

“All the support rendered from Brunei gave the people of China strength and friendship that are cherished dearly. Since the outbreak, the embassy has kept close contact with the MoH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”.

“In a relatively short time, the situation came under control, and we have seen the hard work of the medical workers, volunteers and people from the government,” said the Ambassador.

“We have seen the extensive support from society, and Chinese companies have actively supported the Brunei Government’s efforts through donating medical supplies, and providing technical support.

“The donations also meant to express solidarity between Brunei and China and join in the effort to fight the crisis and protect the people’s health,” she added.

“Facing such a pandemic, only with trust and solidarity can we win as no country can win alone.”

She added that it has to be a victory of humanity over the virus as a whole. China cherishes the long friendship with Brunei where they have a responsibility to make it grow.

“We believe with the joint efforts from both sides, the relations between the two countries will be further strengthened,” she said.