On April 29, the shipping ceremony of 1,000,000 surgical masks donated for Indonesia by the Belt and Road Research Institute (Shenzhen) for International Cooperation and Development (BRRI) was held in the headquarters of Winner Medical Co., Ltd., which is a member of the BRRI Business Alliance. Key attendees of the ceremony included: Professor Tao Yitao, Director of China Center for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR), dean of the Belt and Road Research Institute (BRRI) of Shenzhen University (SZU), and Director of the BRRI, Mr. Huang Bai, Chairman of Indonesian Scholarship Program, and Mr. Li Zhou, Deputy Director of the BRRI.
Other attendees were: Mr. Zou Chao, Deputy General Manager of China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC) 4th Bureau, which is the representative of donating companies of the Belt and Road Business Alliance; Mr. Fang Xiuyuan, Vice President of Winner Medical Co., Ltd.; Mr. Liu Xuzhong, Chairman of Jinhuang Qianhai International Supply Chain (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.; Ms. Shan Jinghua, Chairman of Winners' Sun Plastic and Electronic (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.; Mr. Bai Yong, Chairman of Shenzhen Bestman Instrument Co., Ltd.; Mr. Yang Xianghong, Chairman of Shenzhen Yueyuan Cultural Development Co., Ltd. Mr. Cao Cong, Executive Secretary-General of Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC) attended the ceremony as a special guest. The ceremony was presided over by Prof. Han Zhongxue, Deputy Director of the BRRI. BRRI's partner media including "The Silk Road Story" program of GRT Satellite Channel, China News Service, China National Radio, Shenzhen Satellite TV, and Shenzhen News Radio followed up on the event.
Group photo of key participants in front of a cargo truck carrying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies and hope to Indonesia
Director and president Tao Yitao is delivering a speech and expressing her gratitude to all the people who helped with the donation
This donation is a charity event initiated by non-governmental think tanks when the virus containment measures are under steady implementation in China, COVID-19 has spread rapidly around the world, and among others, countries along the Belt and Road are in serious shortage of PPE supplies such as face masks, protective suits and testing kits for COVID-19. Since BRRI decided to start the donation earlier this month, it has completed the entire process from fundraising to procurement of 1 million surgical masks (with a market value of more than 4 million yuan) in less than a month. SFIEC spoke highly of this donation: “This is the largest and most valuable donation made by Shenzhen's private enterprises and private non-business institutions to overseas countries so far since the outbreak of COVID-19.” In addition to 1 million surgical masks, the donation also includes 240 infrared forehead thermometers from members of the Belt and Road Business Alliance. All supplies are expected to arrive in the port of Jakarta, Indonesia on May 11.
Workers are packing the PPE supplies donated to Indonesia
The attendees pay close attention to the packing of PPE supplies into the container
This donation received hearty responses and full support from the member enterprises of the Belt and Road Business Alliance, including Winners' Sun Plastic and Electronic (Shenzhen), CSCEC 4th Bureau, Winner Medical, and Jinhuang Qianhai International Supply Chain (Shenzhen). Ms. Wu Xiaolan, Honorary Dean of BRRI, former Vice Mayor of Shenzhen and Chairman of Wu Xiaolan Charity Foundation, has kept an eye on the progress of this donation and hoped that BRRI's actions demonstrate the commitment to social responsibility of non-governmental think tanks and private enterprises in China. This donation was also assisted and supported by "The Silk Road Story" program of GRT Satellite Channel and SFIEC. Love and care from different parties have been integrated into spiritual supports and awe of life. Charity is the noblest and most sacred cause of mankind, but the future of charity will not go with a swing and might even encounter countless difficulties. Even so, we still believe that charity work will purify everyone’s heart and humanity will shine through when people giving a hand are rewarded with care and love.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. In the combat against COVID-19, the whole of mankind is a community with a shared future. Only by looking out for each other can we overcome the difficulties and the pandemic. The BRRI will continue to follow up on the pandemic development in countries along the Belt and Road and enhance international cooperation in fighting against the pandemic, to make contributions for building a community of a shared future for mankind. No country or region can stand aloof and protect itself from COVID-19. This global disaster made the world rethink the importance of international cooperation and highlighted the new meaning of community with a shared future for mankind reflected in the “Belt and Road Initiative”. “Where will the pandemic go? Let’s pray for the current world.” BRRI will pray in hope of defeating the coronavirus in the shortest time by its actions!
