China says it is willing to help India fight COVID-19
China on Friday said that it is willing to talk to India about what the country needs to battle the massive surge in coronavirus cases. The offer comes at a time when India continues to report lakhs of infections daily, leading to an overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure and shortages of essential medical supplies. Here are more details on this.
'Willing to communicate with India per its needs'
"China is willing to communicate (on) specific matters with India according to its needs," the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Hindustan Times, in response to query by the publication. However, it is not confirmed yet whether Beijing has officially conveyed to New Delhi its intention to help in fighting the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 in India.
'COVID-19 a common enemy of all mankind'
Responding to a question from the media about what action China is taking in view of the COVID-19 situation in India, Wang had said on Thursday, "China is willing to provide the necessary support and help." Wang said that the novel coronavirus is a common enemy of all mankind, adding, "The global community needs to unite as one to fight against epidemics."
Last year, India had helped China with medical supplies
Last year, India had helped China with medical supplies during the time the COVID-19 outbreak was at its peak there. India had sent 15 tonnes of medical supplies, comprising 1,00,000 surgical masks, 5,00,000 pairs of surgical gloves, 75 pieces of infusion pumps, 21 pieces of defibrillator, and 4,000 pieces of N-95 masks, according to External Affairs Minister of State V Muraleedharan.
COVID-19 had originated in China in late 2019
The COVID-19 pandemic had originated in Wuhan, China in late 2019. However, the country has since managed to largely contain the virus' spread. According to Worldometers, China has thus far reported 90,566 total cases and 4,636 deaths due to it.
China also sent medical supplies to India in April
China had then returned India's favor in April, sending dozens of aircraft with coronavirus-related medical supplies, when the pandemic started spreading in India. India-bound flights from Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an, and Hong Kong, carried 390 tonnes of medical supplies, including RT-PCR test kits, Rapid Antibody test kits, and personal protection equipment, among other materials.
Ties between India, China worsened after the Galwan clashes
However, soon after that, ties between the two countries plunged to its worst in decades as the Indian and Chinese forces engaged in clashes and skirmishes near the disputed Pangong Lake in eastern Ladakh. Both sides suffered numerous casualties in the clashes. Even a year after the clashes, the countries are still trying to entirely defuse the situation.
The COVID-19 situation in India
The COVID-19 situation in India continues to worsen. In the last 24-hour period, the country reported 3.3 lakh new coronavirus cases - the highest single-day surge for any country in the outbreak. It also added a record 2,263 deaths. The number of active cases in India has crossed the 24-lakh mark. Several states have been reporting a shortage of essential equipment including medical oxygen.
