A ventilator is seen at the New York City Emergency Management Warehouse, U.S., March 24, 2020. /Reuters
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday urged Switzerland to increase the supply of crucial components for ventilators as the world fights the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a phone conversation with Ignazio Cassis, member of the Swiss Federal Council and Switzerland's foreign minister, Wang said China has taken measures to facilitate the shipment of medical supplies to other countries and accelerate the production of ventilators, which are currently the most urgently needed medical equipment in the global fight against COVID-19.
Noting that Switzerland is one of the suppliers of key components and ventilator parts, Wang called for a substantial increase in the supply of them to enable companies to raise production and help those countries in need.
China would also like to strengthen cooperation with Switzerland in the research and development of medicines and vaccines, he added.
A sign reads "Protect what we love. Please keep distance" on a fence set up by Swiss and German authorities on the German-Swiss border in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, April 5, 2020. /Reuters
Cassis said Switzerland is willing to enhance cooperation with China in the production of ventilators and the research and development of medicine and vaccines, vowing to jointly stabilize the global industrial and supply chains of them.
The two diplomats agreed that the pandemic should not be politicized, calling for solidarity and collaboration in the international community to tackle the challenge.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Switzerland, Wang said, adding that cooperation in fighting COVID-19 will further deepen the two countries' friendship.
As of Wednesday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had reached 22,789 in Switzerland, an Alpine country with a population of 8.5 million.
On Monday, Swiss International Air Lines (Swissair) announced on its Twitter account that over 35 million personal protective items will be transported from China to Switzerland to help the country contain the outbreak.