China and Africa have been good brothers, sharing weal and woe for a long time. The collaboration on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is a vivid portrayal of a closer "community of shared future" between China and Africa. During this joint battle against the virus, there have been many touching moments which show how much the two sides value their friendship. ChinaAfrica presents some touching moments in the months-long cooperation on pandemic prevention and control.  

February 4  

A Donation 

On February 4, the Equatorial Guinea Government decided to donate $2 million to the Chinese Government to help combat the epidemic. It is worth mentioning that during the Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China's Sichuan Province in 2008, Equatorial Guinea, the country with only 1 million people, also made donations to support the people in the disaster area. 

February 7 

A Heartwarming Note 

"I can't write good Chinese but understand it a little. This is my small contribution to China in its war against the coronavirus. I love China."

This is a note left by an African student in Foshan, south China's Guangdong Province. On February 7, the African student left the note and 500 yuan ($71) to a police station and said "I love China" to a policeman in Chinese and left without leaving a name. His words warmed the hearts of the Chinese people in the epidemic: "I donate all I have, and I hope it can help save more people's lives. This is my support for China's fight against COVID-19." 

March 18  

A Teleconference 

On March 18, China and African countries held their first expert video conference on the prevention and control of COVID-19. Nearly 300 officials and experts from 24 African countries and the African CDC participated in the conference through the Internet. Chinese experts introduced China's experience and practices in epidemic prevention and control in detail, and answered nearly 50 questions from the African side.  

This video conference lasting three and a half hours provided a useful platform for professionals from both sides to share their anti-epidemic experience.  

March 22 

A Famous Quote 

 

Staff members unload the medical supplies from China at the airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 22  (XINHUA) 

On March 22, massive medical supplies donated by China's Jack Ma Foundation to 54 African countries arrived in Addis Ababa, capital of the East African nation of Ethiopia, through an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight.  

One line of writing on a label attached to the packaging of materials drew people’s attention. It read: “When people are determined they can overcome anything.” The words are a famous quote of the former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.  

It is believed that language is no longer an obstacle in jointly fighting the epidemic, because friendship has a common language.  

April 3 

A Phone Call 

China provides emergency food aid to drought-stricken Namibia in 2019 (XINHUA) 

On April 3, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China will continue to step up assistance for Namibia and other African countries in combating the COVID-19 epidemic. He made the remarks in a phone conversation with Namibian President Hage Geingob. 

Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xi said China is willing to make joint efforts with Namibia to strengthen practical cooperation on the basis of mutual understanding and support. Geingob hailed Xi's outstanding leadership in leading the Chinese people to control the pandemic, calling China the "best friend" of Namibia and Africa.  

A phone call between old friends in trouble symbolizes mutual support, is not just an exchange of greetings.  

April 6 

A Chartered Airplane 

 

China’s medical supplies for 18 African countries have arrived Ghana on April 6 (XINHUA) 

On April 6, China's medical supplies for 18 African countries arrived in Accra, capital of Ghana, and were delivered to the other 17 countries within a few days.  

The supply marked China's assistance to 18 countries across Central and West Africa to curb the spread of COVID-19. Other beneficiary African countries are Nigeria, Senegal, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Benin, Cape Verde, and Sao Tome and Principe.  

The urgently needed and life-sustaining supplies freighted by a chartered China Air Cargo plane include personal protective equipment, N95 face masks, medical protective suits, goggles, gloves, temporal artery thermometers, and ventilators.  

The reason China-Africa friendship is strong is because when one side encounters difficulties, the other side is always standing behind with full support and care. 

April 12 

A Way Home 

 

Zhang Jingjing, a nurse and a member of the medical team from ShandongPprovince takes a photo with local residents in Huanggang, Hubei Province, on March 21 [Photo/www.chinanews.com] 

This is a special way home. 

On April 12, Han Wentao, the husband of the nurse Zhang Jingjing who died after helping fight COVID-19 in Hubei Province for two months, returned home from Africa despite the international travel difficulties caused by the pandemic. 

Han, who works on construction projects in Sierra Leone, West Africa, attempted to return to China swiftly after learning of the news of his wife's death. But flights had been suspended because of the pandemic. 

Zhang's death triggered nationwide sadness, and a large number of Chinese people and organizations have expressed condolences to her husband and their young daughter. 

Finally, with the help of the Sierra Leone Government, Han took a chartered plane to Brussels, Belgium, from Sierra Leone and then flew back to China. 

It was Han's way home to say goodbye to his love. It also symbolized the understanding and help from Sierra Leone to the Chinese people. 

April 19 

A Letter From Home 

Guangzhou, capital city of south China's Guangdong Province, an international business center and an integrated transport hub, attracts a lot of foreigners, including Africans, to start up a business or settle down for living. It has become the second "home" of many foreigners. 

On April 19, the office of the provincial epidemic prevention and control headquarters wrote a letter to all residents in the city, saying the city government promised to treat all people in Guangzhou equally, regardless of nationality, race, gender or age and called on everyone to unite and work together to overcome difficulties. This family letter was more like a horn to unite people's hearts.  

(This story is translated and edited based on an article of People's Daily)