Pakistan, China stand with each other in difficult times: Qureshi

China sends another aircraft carrying medical supplies to Pakistan

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said Pakistan and China stand with each other in difficult times, as he arrived at the Islamabad International Airport to receive a team of Chinese medical experts.

Addressing the Chinese media, the foreign minister said China has once again shown the world their friendship with Pakistan.

"China once again has shown to the world they are friends of Pakistan, they care for us, we stand with each other in difficult times."

Chinese billionaire Jack Ma’s Foundation and Alibaba Foundation sent another aircraft carrying medical supplies to Pakistan.

The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said two tonnes of supplies worth Rs67 million were delivered to Karachi, including face masks, test kits, ventilators and personal protective equipment.

LIVE: China aircraft carrying medical equipment arrives in Pakistan

The special flight also brought a team of eight Chinese doctors on a two-week visit to assess the steps taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government to combat the virus.

Xinjiang government also provided 50,000 masks each to the federal capital, as well as to the Sindh government.

So far, China has donated 12,000 test kits, 300,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits and US$4m - to build an isolation hospital - to Pakistan.

"I was in China to express my solidarity with the Chinese people and today I’m here to receive the medical team. We are grateful, this is a unique relationship. And such times tell us how close we are to each other," the foreign minister said.