Will ensure smooth medical supplies: China

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 1

Beijing sought to make amends for negative publicity surrounding the dispatch of emergency medical supplies from China to India with Chinese Ambassador in India Sun Weidong assuring actor-philanthropist Sonu Sood that freight air routes between both countries were operating normally. “The past two weeks have witnessed 61 freight flights from China to India. China will do its utmost to support India fighting Covid,” tweeted Sun in response to Sood’s Twitter complaint that China had blocked supplies of hundreds of oxygen concentrators.

“Noted your twitter info,” said Sun in response to Sood calling on the Chinese authorities to help get the consignments cleared “so we can save lives.” The envoy assured: “We’ve provided convenience in Customs clearance and transportation of medical supplies. Will continue to ensure smooth functioning of export channel of materials to India.’

Mukesh Aghi of an Indo-US business chamber too had complained that oxygen concentrators from China had to be re-routed through Japan.

A Chinese cargo airline had temporarily withdrawn its services but reversed its decision after it became apparent that the US, Russia, the UK, France, Germany and Gulf countries had no Covid-related issues in sending relief supplies to India. Sun was building on the outreach by his Foreign Minister Wang Yi after his telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday.