In India, the number of confirmed cases of Covidium Cepacia (Covid-19) reached 352,991 on April 26, with 2,812 deaths, the highest single-day record in the world for five consecutive days. In the face of the tsunami-like outbreak, hospitals in India are desperately short of medical oxygen and beds, and large hospitals have posted notices that they can no longer accept patients. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all offered to help. Will China, as a neighboring country, offer assistance on humanitarian grounds? Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she was ready to do so. However, the Indian media has exposed that the Chinese Communist Party has cut off medical supplies, rubbing salt into the country’s wounds.
Hua Chunying, on April 26, said, “We are very worried about the serious situation in India [of the epidemic]. If India tells us what specific needs it has, we are ready to help.”
Another spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, had also declared in response to questions at a regular press conference on April 22 that “the CCP virus epidemic is the common enemy of all mankind, and the international community needs to unite to fight the epidemic together. China notes that recently, India’s domestic epidemic situation is serious and there is a temporary shortage of necessary materials for epidemic prevention, and we are willing to provide the necessary support and help for the Indian side to control the epidemic.”
However, The Times of India revealed on April 26 that state-run airline Sichuan Airlines announced that it would suspend flights responsible for carrying Covid-19 medical supplies to India for 15 days, much to the consternation of traders and agents who were trying to procure oxygen machines and other medical equipment from China with the intention of shipping them to India, where they were desperately needed to save lives.
In addition, traders complained that Chinese manufacturers had raised the prices of related supplies by 35 to 40 percent and shipping costs to more than 20 percent.
Indian media mentioned that India was one of the countries that provided medical supplies to Beijing when China was hit hard by the epidemic in 2020, when 15 tons of medical supplies, including masks, gloves and emergency medical equipment, were delivered to China at a cost of about Rs. 211 million. In February last year, Prime Minister Modi had written to President Xi Jinping to offer India’s assistance in the fight against the epidemic.
In response to the news of the cut-off, Communist Party officials argued that it was “an epidemic prevention policy decided by the airlines themselves” and said it was “the same as the Netherlands, the UK and other countries that have restricted flights to India and are beyond reproach.
However, the Epoch Times has checked and reported that while the Netherlands and other countries have cut off flights to India, the ban does not include cargo flights carrying medical personnel, and that countries such as the UK are actively sending flights full of medical equipment to support India.
The U.S. announced on April 25 that it would immediately send epidemic supplies to India, and materials that could be used for vaccine production. They will send personal protective equipment and rapid test kits, said Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for the U.S. National Security Council. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the U.S. president, said the country is also considering sending some AstraZeneca vaccine.
On the same day, after discussions with Indian ministers, Britain has sent its first batch of emergency relief supplies and will send more later. Prime Minister Johnson vowed to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with India.
European Commission President von der Leyen said the EU is working on a rapid aid package for India. EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Janice Benalcic said oxygen and medical donations have been coordinated with member states.
In addition to being pummeled by the Indian media, U.S. commentator and China expert Gordon G. Chang also gave an unflinching response to the Chinese Communist Party. He tweeted back to Hua Chunying, “Thank you, you can help India and help the world – as long as you tell us how Covid-19 got started.”
He also tagged “Wuhanlab.
Recent Comments