On 8 April, Ambassador Liu Xiaoming attended an on-line donation of medical supplies to the UK by the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK), and delivered a speech entitled Take up the Responsibility and Join Hands to Combat Covid-19. William Russell, Lord Mayor of the City of London, Richard Burn, HM Trade Commissioner for China, John McLean OBE, Head of China-UK Relations for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal, Fang Wenjian and Chang Yun, Chairman and Vice Chairman of CCCUK, Lady Xuelin Bates, Secretary General of the UK Chinese Business Association (CBA), and representatives from both Chinese and British business communities joined the event online.

Ambassador Liu noted that Covid-19 is still raging and the pandemic continues to take its toll around the world. At this darkest hour, the Chinese people stand firm with the British people. He said, “At the height of the challenge from Covid-19 in China, Her Majesty the Queen and Prime Minister Johnson sent sympathy and support to China, and British people from all walks of life donated funds and supplies. We were deeply touched and will never forget.”

“Now the UK is fighting its own battle against the epidemic. We felt keenly for the UK and stand ready to provide assistance to the best of our capability. In a matter of one month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Boris Johnson had two telephone conversations, which demonstrates the firm determination of the two countries to join hands to overcome the current difficulties. At the moment, the relevant departments of the Chinese Government are working around the clock to facilitate the UK in purchasing much-needed medical supplies, including ventilators. Last week, a joint team from Shandong, China flew into London with donations of ventilators, testing kits, protective gowns, goggles and surgical masks. Experts from the two countries held zoom conferences and shared experience,” the Ambassador added. Chinese communities in the UK are working actively to donate funds and supplies to the NHS, and businesses from both countries are also collecting supplies and raising funds through various channels.

Ambassador Liu pointed out, “We are here today to witness the donation of the first shipment of medical supplies from the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK and Bank of China to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, including ventilators, protective gowns, goggles, masks and gloves. This donation shows the global vision of Chinese businesses who are willing to live up to their social responsibilities. It demonstrates true friendship between China and the UK in times of hardships. It displays the spirit of cooperation which underpins our joint response to the epidemic. It is a vivid illustration of the China-UK ‘Golden Era’”.

Ambassador Liu mentioned the televised address by Her Majesty The Queen three days ago, encouraging all British people to remain united in the fight against Covid-19. Across the UK, 750,000 volunteers have signed up to go to the frontline of this battle, and the public have been applauding medical workers to express their gratitude.

“We are deeply touched. We see in these responses the spirit of unity, the perseverance and the optimism of the British people. They reinforce my belief that winter will be over, spring will come and the darkest hour will end. We will meet again some sunny day”, said Ambassador Liu in closing.

Chairman Fang said, at the critical moment of China’s fight against Covin-19, UK’s support and encouragement in the form of both generous donation of medical supplies are deeply appreciated by the Chinese people. As the pandemic is escalating in the UK, CCCUK recently launched an initiative, calling on all its members to step forward and take action to the best of their capability. The members have responded positively and quickly, enabling CCCUK to assemble, in a relatively short time, a large amount of much-needed medical supplies, including 20 ventilators, 822,000 medical masks, 19,000 pieces of protective clothing, 19,000 goggles and one million pairs of gloves. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all the parties involved, the first batch of supplies, including the ventilators, has arrived in London on 6 April. CCCUK and The Lord Mayor's Appeal will send these supplies to NHS hospitals and health care institutions at the very frontline in a timely manner. CCCUK is standing together with the UK to combat the pandemic.

Burn said, “This amazing donation shows China’s tremendous friendship and warmth for the British people, and will make genuine difference in saving lives, which will be remembered by the British people.” He also noted that with strong business cooperation, and close people-to-people and cultural exchanges, the relationship between the two countries is bound to become stronger after the crisis.

Lord Mayor Russell reviewed the event “Together We Fight against the Virus - UK and China, United We Stand” hosted by the City of London last month, during which British students expressed their support to China by singing Chime of the Dawn Bells. He said, as the UK is facing the challenge of Covid-19 itself, China is returning the kindness with huge support to the medical staff and community workers in the UK, which for sure will help save lives. The UK is deeply grateful for that. He also noted that international cooperation with other countries, including China, stands as a significant part of the UK’s battle against the virus, stating that “this type of international collaboration is a glimpse of light in an otherwise dark time.” The City of London will give its full support to all the financial entities in the UK and help them to stay resilient and overcome this crisis. The Lord Mayor expressed his hope to visit China at an early date after the pandemic to deepen the financial cooperation between the UK and China.

Also recalling last month’s event hosted by the City of London to show UK’s support to Wuhan in fighting Covid-19, Mclean said, “Today, Wuhan’s 76-day lockdown is finally lifted, which sheds light on UK’s reality in its fight. China’s generosity reflects our friendship and will make our bond stronger. Lord Mayor’s Appeal will make sure the supplies are delivered to NHS front-line staff as soon as possible.”

Representatives from both countries agreed to work with solidarity in the cooperation of combating the pandemic and the development of China-UK relations. The event ended with all participants applauding for the front-line medical workers.