China’s image becoming even better since pandemic: Navarre minister

The minister of economic development and business for Navarre in Spain told the Global Times he was “surprised” to see some governments and organizations hold China accountable for the coronavirus.

Minister Manu Ayerdi, who is also a member of the Parliament of Navarre, told the Global Times that in Navarre people are grateful to China for “providing the most precious and generous support” in their “most difficult time.”

In March, Navarre received 275 boxes of medical supplies weighing 2.7 tons which was worth €160,000 ($181,205) from its sister province Gansu in Northwest China. The local Chinese community in Navarre also made donations of protective suits and medical supplies.

The minister, who witnessed the whole medical cooperation process, recalled it to the Global Times. “In January, we did not expect the epidemic to hit Europe so hard. It wasn’t until March that the epidemic brought a heavy blow to Europe. Starting from the week of March 9, the epidemic in Navarre became very serious. As the production capacity of facial masks in Navarre, and even the whole of Spain, was inadequate, our protective equipment including facial masks, gloves and protective suits were all in short supply in the early days,” Ayerdi recalled.

Therefore, the Navarre government made an important decision on March 13 to ask for help from Gansu.

“On March 13, we called the foreign affairs office of the Gansu government and told them about the grim situation Navarre was facing. Unexpectedly, we received a phone call from Gansu, telling us they had started to prepare facial masks and other protective equipment. At the same time, logistics and diplomatic preparations started immediately. These all happened several hours after we made the phone call,” Ayerdi recalled.

On the night of March 31, when the medical supplies from China arrived at Navarre, it aroused attention from the local media. “People were happy and moved because at that critical moment, we were able to get such a big batch of medical supplies from Gansu, which is a great relief to us.”

According to a white paper released by China’s State Council Information Office, China sent 29 medical expert teams to 27 countries and offered assistance to 150 countries and four international organizations as of May 31.

Ayerdi told the Global Times that Navarre procured lots of medical equipment from China over the past three months and it all met the standards of safety and treatment requirements. “I think the image of China in Navarre is becoming even better and this is unquestionable. This is not only due to the aid from Gansu, but also because of the contributions that the Chinese community in Navarre has made. Their generosity is highly valued among Navarre citizens,” the minister said.

Ayerdi noted he did not think the aid from Gansu was about “propaganda” for China, but rather “an expression of true friendship.” “When human beings encounter a crisis, what we should do is to face it together no matter where it first broke out,” he said.

“I don’t understand what the purpose [of holding China accountable] is.”