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Feature: Massive air bridge unites China, Mexico in battling COVID-19

Staff members demonstrate the medical supplies from China at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday. Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, ten flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

MEXICO CITY, May 13 (Xinhua) -- A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday.

Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, 10 flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm.

Welcoming the flight and kicking off the second phase of the initiative, China's ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao said that both sides have been working closely and swiftly to strengthen bilateral cooperation to cope with the pandemic.

"Despite the high demand for medical gear in the local and global markets, China has made the utmost effort to rapidly provide the supplies to Mexico, affirming our fraternal friendship of mutual aid," said Zhu.

At the end of March, China helped Mexico purchase medical equipment for healthcare professionals as the virus spread through the Latin American country, which is currently passing through phase three of the pandemic, with infection rates at a peak in several cities.

Since the air bridge became operational on April 7 with an Aeromexico airline plane named "Messenger of Peace," hundreds of thousands of N95 and surgical face masks, gloves, goggles and other personal protective equipment have been shipped to Mexico City to supply hospitals.

The pandemic has underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in the interconnected world, and the need to have a vision of a community with shared future for mankind, an idea that China is committed to, Zhu said.

"China and Mexico will continue to move forward and together we will overcome this difficulty," said Zhu.

The Mexico-China air bridge over the Pacific Ocean has so far been crossed 20 times, and 10 more flights are programmed for the second phase, according to Mexico's Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard.

He thanked China's government, embassy and Chinese firm MEHECO for helping to secure the much-needed medical supplies.

"The ambassador said 'We will never forget that Mexico stood by China when this pandemic began.' Today we say that Mexico will also never forget that when we needed help, you stood by us. That really counts in relationships," said Ebrard.

"We still have 10 flights to go and surely, by the last one, when Mexico is in a more favorable situation, with economic and social activity resumed, then we will converse with China to work together towards reactivating the economy," Ebrard added.

Mexico has so far seen 38,324 cases of infection and 3,926 deaths from COVID-19.

Workers prepare to unload medical supplies from China at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday. Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, ten flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

China's Ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao (L) greets Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard with elbow bumps during a welcome ceremony for a flight from China with medical supplies at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday. Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, ten flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

An aircraft with medical supplies from China arrives at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday. Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, ten flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

China's Ambassador to Mexico Zhu Qingqiao speaks during a welcome ceremony for a flight from China with medical supplies at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday. Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, ten flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard speaks during a welcome ceremony for a flight from China with medical supplies at an international airport in Mexico City, Mexico, on May 12, 2020. A flight from Shanghai to Mexico City arrived late Tuesday, marking the completion of the first phase of a China-Mexico initiative to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, top officials said on Wednesday. Since launching the massive air bridge between the two countries in April, ten flights have brought about 120 tons of medical equipment acquired by Mexico's government from a Chinese firm. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)