The Commonwealth Society of Beijing (CSB) has donated 200,000 yuan (28,461 U.S. dollars) to the China Charity Federation (CCF) for distribution to the Wuhan hospitals at the center of the fight against the current novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Secretary-General of the CCF Bian Zhiwei said, "The CSB is the first international group to make a donation to Wuhan through our organization, so we are very touched by their contribution and their support for China at this time. A friend in need is a friend indeed."

CSB President Zahra Jidda, the wife of the Nigerian Ambassador to China, said she was not in China when the outbreak began, but she did not let that stop her from helping.

"When I heard about the outbreak, I was in Africa," she said. "I spoke with Na Yuan, the vice president of our society; Mariatu Kargbo, the director; and former President Silverina Toomata in Beijing, and they all encouraged me to return to China without delay to lead our efforts to give support to the Chinese people, as they have always been there for us.”

Jidda thanked all the CSB members for their contributions and support in making the donation possible and encouraged people around the world to come together in the fight against the virus. She said the CSB is confident that China's efforts to control the outbreak will be successful and sent her love and respect to all the frontline medical staff in Wuhan.

At the end of the donation ceremony,  Kargbo and other artists performed a new song titled "Come on China!" to express their sympathy and support for all those affected and to wish China a speedy recovery. The video that accompanies the song features several African schools sending their support to the Chinese people through the CSB.

The Commonwealth Society of Beijing was established in 1993. It is a non-profit charity organization comprising the Commonwealth countries' female diplomats in China, spouses of diplomats and other Commonwealth nationals who are passionate about the charitable causes.