Chinese medical and technical experts wave before departing from Caracas, Venezuela, April 11, 2020. /Xinhua
Eight Chinese medical and scientific experts were granted the second level of the Order of Francisco de Miranda by the Venezuelan government on Saturday for their contributions in the fight against COVID-19 in the Latin American country.
The eight experts, who arrived in Venezuela on March 30 to help fight the pandemic, left Caracas on Saturday afternoon after completing their mission. All of them were conferred the order at a farewell and award ceremony at the airport before their departure.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, Economy and Finance Minister Simon Zerpa and Health Minister Carlos Humberto Alvarado Gonzalez attended the ceremony. Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela Li Baorong was also present.
Rodriguez thanked the experts for sharing China's experience in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the conferment was approved by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The move shows the Venezuelan government and people's deep friendship with the Chinese experts, Rodriguez said.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L1) meets with the Chinese experts at his presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, April 8, 2020. /Chinese Embassy in Venezuela
Ambassador Li stressed that the international community needs to work together with firm confidence to tackle the pandemic. China firmly supports Venezuela's fight against COVID-19 and will further enhance cooperation with the country to jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.
The team, organized by the National Health Commission, consists of experts selected by the health commission of east China's Jiangsu Province.
The Order of Francisco de Miranda is conferred by the Republic of Venezuela in memory of Francisco de Miranda (1754-1816), a hero in the country's independence war against Spain.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's tweet on March 31 to thank China's help in the fight against COVID-19.
Maduro thanked China for its help in a tweet upon the team's arrival. In a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, he said China's support and help are especially precious for the Venezuelan people at this difficult moment.
"China shows in practice to the world what solidarity and cooperation mean," Maduro said.
Venezuela had reported 175 COVID-19 cases and nine deaths as of Sunday.