Chongqing - “I’m confident that Chongqing and China can win this fight against COVID-19. The Australian government and people care and support you," said Mr. Christopher Lim, the Consul- General of Australia to Chengdu, in the video sent as a message of encouragement.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Australians from all walks of life have been assisting China to combat the epidemic. The Australian Government recently donated medical supplies worth about RMB 2.7 million to the Hubei Charity Federation, including medical masks, protective clothing, goggles, gloves, hand soap, thermometers, and blood pressure monitoring equipment. Many Australian and multinational companies such as BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, FMG Group, CSL Behring China, Australian a2, Swisse, Van Milk and Ausnutria Dairy have donated tens of millions of RMB's worth of supplies. Australia's world-class scientists are racing to understand more about the COVID-19 and develop a vaccine. "The Peter Doherty Institute was the first in the world to reproduce the vaccine in a laboratory and to share it with scientists around the world." Mr. Lim introduced. The Consul- General is also facilitating pharmaceutical companies in southwest China to work with Australian institutions to find a vaccine.
"We recognize the immense and resolute efforts of the Chinese authorities and the Chinese people in responding to the COVID-19 epidemic. I have seen personally how thorough the measures have been to keep the epidemic under check." Mr. Lim said. He is also impressed by how the Chongqing government is proactively sharing crucial information with the Consular and foreign community. "I am glad to hear that there has been a significant reduction in numbers of cases of COVID-19 in southwest China, suggesting effective containment," said the Consul General.
"I am deeply touched by the commitment and dedication of frontline health workers," said Mr. Lim. He is deeply inspired by the stories of Chinese doctors, nurses, families, and communities working tirelessly to treat those with the virus and protect the broader population.
The Consul General emphasized that Australia and China are bound by ties of family, commerce, education, and so many other aspects of life. According to him, the Australian Consulate-General is ready with an ambitious and forward-leaning action plan to re-energize relations between Australia and Chongqing. "We stand in solidarity with you and want to bounce back together with you. We continue to have many opportunities to pursue that is to our mutual benefit. I look forward to seeing my Chongqing friends again soon and discussing our rebound strategy," he said.
Mr. Lim holds the view that Australians and Chinese are both resilient peoples. In the same way that Australians have overcome the devastating effects of the recent bushfires, so too will China overcome the COVID-19 challenge.