At local time 4 pm February 18, Jean Francois KANDO, Mayor of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo (ROC), donated 10,000 medical protective masks to Suzhou. The donation by the city over 11,000 km away was accepted by China’s Embassy in ROC and would then be shipped to Suzhou.
Back to February 6, Mayor of Suzhou Li Yaping received an unusual letter, which was just written by Mayor KANDO. “Dear Mayor Li, we are concerned about the COVID-19 outbreak in your country. On behalf of Pointe-Noire government and citizens, I would like to extend our best wishes and support to China and to our Sister City Suzhou. In response to the epidemic, we pledge to donate 10,000 medical protective masks and ship them to Suzhou as soon as possible. I wish you will overcome this challenge soon.”
The letter is not long, but it carries a strong message. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, support and help have been offered from around the world. But the doantion by Pointe-Noire, our African “buddy” is very special. Being a part of ROC, a less devloped country, Pointe-Noire has limited economic and healthcare resources, but it still generously gives medical supplies to its Sister City Suzhou. What this gesture embodies is more than just 10,000 masks, but a profound friendship and commitment to future partnership, and love from African friends who stand with us through thick and thin.
In July 2016, witnessed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, Suzhou and Pointe-Noire signed an agreement to establish friendship city relationship. Pointe-Noire thus became the first sister city of Suzhou that was witnessed by heads of states, which is of great significance to Suzhou’s participation into the Belt and Road Initiative and has set a role model for regional cooperation with African countries.
Since the establishment of friendship cities, the two sides have carried out various exchanges and cooperation in fields of agriculture, health, medical service, education and so on. Currently, Suzhou is implementing a three-year agricultural technology project in support of Africa. The project is to train local farmers in crop cultivation and livestock husbandry by offering lectures and on-the-site teachings, in order to boost local economic development and enhance local agricultural productivity.
Thanks to the talent training program between two cities, since the year 2018, seven students from Pointe-Noire have come to Suzhou for the three-year degree education. During this winter vacation, those overseas students from Suzhou Vocational University contributed to the epidemic control by making a short video on COVID-19 prevention in three days. “This winter vacation is very special. Our college has taken many prevention measures, which makes us feel safe and eases the minds of our families and friends in Africa. Suzhou is my second home. My Suzhou families and I will stand side by side to win the battle against the epidemic.”Briss Lionel from the Republic of Congo said.
As of February 19, a total of 51 international friendship cities and friendly exchange cities of Suzhou have expressed care and sympathy to Suzhou’s fight against the epidemic outbreak by donating medical supplies, sending messages and videos and among other forms of help and support. 15 friendship cities and friendly exchange cities have donated a total of 217280 pieces of face masks and 100 pieces of protective suits. 38 friendship cities and friendly exchange cities, including Melbourne Australia and Jeonju Republic of Korea, have sent their wishes to Suzhou to be strong and well.
