VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has assured his support for Chinese investment in Indonesia's health sector.

During the handing over of medical assistance from the Chinese government for the handling of COVID-19 in the country here on Tuesday, Minister Pandjaitan said that Indonesia will support China's investment in the health sector in the future, such as investment in vaccines, manufacturing medical devices, and building international hospitals.

"No single country can fight this pandemic alone. We must establish cooperation, solidarity and friendship between countries to be able to fight this epidemic in the future," he said in a written statement here on Wednesday.

Indonesia has again received medical assistance from the Chinese government for handling COVID-19 in the country, he noted.

The assistance included medical devices such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen nasal cannulas, and oxygen face masks, he informed. Medical devices are very much needed in the fight against the highly contagious Delta variant, he added.

The assistance from the Chinese government was handed over by the Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, Xiao Qian, and Huawei representatives to the Indonesian government, which was represented by Minister Luhut and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

"On behalf of the Indonesian government, I would like to thank the Chinese government, Huawei and China Eastern Airlines, for this kind of cooperation and assistance provided to the Indonesian government and its people," said Pandjaitan.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Sadikin also expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by the country.

"I also appreciate what the Chinese government has given for us. Such assistance is not only helping the lives of the Indonesian people, but also is a form of humanity from the Chinese government for the Indonesian government," he said.

The Chinese government was concerned by the COVID-19 resurgence in Indonesia, Ambassador Xiao Qian said. While some of the medical aid was delivered on Monday, the rest will arrive on Friday, he informed.

"The governments of China and Indonesia are good friends, neighbors as well as partners. In the face of the pandemic, this support is a testament to China's friendship and solidarity with Indonesia," the ambassador added. (Antaranews)