Foshan aids sister cities in Germany with anti-epidemic supplies

　　"In this difficult period, I am very happy to see when our friendship is so close that we can rely on the assistance provided by our partner city, Foshan." Recently, cities like Aachen, Bottrop, and Lahr either sent a letter of appreciation, or publicly made acknowledgement via the local media, praising Foshan for the timely support to the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control.

　　Foshan is the initiator city of the Sino-German Industrial Cities Alliance, and all these cities mentioned above are alliance members. In February this year, during the epidemic outbreak in China, representatives of German sister cities such as Aachen and Ingolstadt sent their concern and encouragement for Foshan through letters of consolation and inspiring videos, expressing their willingness to provide relevant support.

　　The virus knows no borders; love units through hardship. At the end of March, when the epidemic spread across Germany and the related epidemic prevention supplies were in shortage, the Management Committee of Foshan Sino-German Industrial Services Zone (Sanlongwan Innovation Cluster) allocated 100,000 daily protective masks, 100 thermometers and other anti-epidemic supplies to support the sister cities in Germany in place in just two days under the guidance and coordination of Foshan Municipal Government and Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters of Foshan City.

　　Exchange gift to fight against the epidemic. "People reunite despite distance", "Walking on long road is comfortable accompanied with friends"...... In early April, a box of anti-epidemic supplies tagged with blessing words in Chinese and German were delivered one after another to Ingolstadt, Aachen, Bottrop, Chemnitz, Kaiserslautern, Lahr, Neuss-Rhine, Solingen, Wuppertal, nine city members of the Sino-German Industrial Cities Alliance that were affected severely by the epidemic.

　　"Thanks Foshan for the kind deeds!" The governments of the sister cities in Germany were deeply touched by Foshan's support and attached great importance to the connection of epidemic prevention supplies. The city of Aachen is currently affected greatly by the epidemic. On the day the anti-epidemic supplies arrived at the German customs, Aachen staff immediately went and received 20,000 masks and other anti-epidemic supplies from the representatives of the Sino-German Industrial City Alliance Office in Germany to serve epidemic prevention key spots such as nursing homes.

　　"Foshan, out of the friendly and cooperative mutual relationship, has provided assistance to the epidemic prevention work and sent medical supplies during the special period, which are greatly appreciated." said by Philip, Mayor of Aachen City, interviewed by Aachen local TV, thanked Foshan for the donation.

　　In addition to the acknowledgement, the mayors of German cities such as Aachen, Bottrop, Lahr, and Neuss-Rhine also expressed their willingness to further strengthen cooperation with Foshan in letters. The cities generally believe that the COVID-19 accidentally attacked humans and greatly challenged future work, but the solidarity among people and in the economy has not been interrupted, which helps us tide over difficult times and strengthen cooperation afterwards.

　　（Source:Nanfang Daily）