Shanghai Construction Group (SCG) of the People’s Republic of China has donated essential medical supplies to the Maldives, in support of the ongoing response efforts against the global Covid-19 pandemic.

The donation was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid during a ceremony held at the ministry premises on Thursday, from SCG Project Manager Li Huanbin and Shi Wanchun, Representative of SCG in the Maldives.

Highlighting that such initiatives symbolize the warm ties between Maldives and China which continues to strengthen, FM Shahid expressed gratitude to SCG as well as the Ambassador of China, Zhang Lizhong, who was also in attendance, for the generous contribution.

The donation includes essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) totaling 500 as well as 20,000 medical masks and 10,000 pairs of medical gloves. The donation is expected to boost the capacity of Maldives’ frontline workers.

FM Shahid expressed gratitude to the company as well as the people and government of China for the continued support and goodwill extended towards Maldives during such times of crises.

The minister went on to shed light on the warm relations Maldives and China have enjoyed over the years, adding that China continues to be one of the most important international partners of the Maldives.

Further, he stated that Maldives “will strive to strengthen its existing bilateral ties with China and to work together internationally not only to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, but also towards the economic recovery efforts as well”.

Maldives has been receiving numerous donations in support of their frontline Covid-19 response efforts from foreign countries, since the battle against the pandemic began in the island nation, in early March.