As COVID-19 is spreading around the world, the lives and health of people in many countries are facing serious threat, and global public health security is undergoing huge challenge. Meanwhile, Hainan, guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, has been actively engaged in international anti-pandemic cooperation by sharing timely preventive and control information as well as experience, and supplying assistance materials to countries and regions close and faraway. Letters of thanks were sent from diplomatic envoys of Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Iran, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Uruguay and other countries, deeming that Hainan's efforts to promote international cooperation in fighting COVID-19 not only demonstrated the friendship and solidarity in trying times, but also strengthened the determination and confidence for countries to unite and combat the pandemic.

"Since the COVID-19 outbreak, Hainan has been acting in an open and transparent manner, providing timely updates, working closely with foreign embassies and consulates in China, and sharing control and treatment experience without reservation. Based on our theoretical research and prevention practices, we have drawn up guidelines on pre-hospital emergency transport for infected cases, translated them into English, and published on the website of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) as reference for its 67 member organizations," said Wang Sheng, Director-General of Hainan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office.

Martin Bienz, Consul General of Switzerland in Guangzhou, congratulated Hainan on its effective preventive and control measures as well as timely and transparent communication about the situation. He wished to continue to work with the province for fruitful exchanges and concrete cooperation in various fields between Hainan and Switzerland.

The New Zealand Consulate General in Guangzhou acknowledged the extensive and successful measures put in place by Hainan to stop the spread of COVID-19. "We also want to acknowledge the effort which the Hainan provincial government has made to keep foreign representatives in Guangzhou informed and to support the consular and other work of Consulate offices during this time. The whole world is currently battling COVID-19, as the virus knows no borders. As President Xi Jinping has said -- 同舟共济 -- and as we say in Maori -- He waka eke noa  -- we must all work together."

In the battle against the pandemic, Hainan firmly believes that the only way to defeat the virus is through concerted efforts. "We feel keenly for people  in the ongoing outbreak and hardship, and we have been doing what we can to support and assist countries in need," Wang Sheng said. As of April 17, Hainan has donated over 1.46 million pieces of medical masks, protective suits, disinfectant and other supplies to central governments, sister provinces and cities as well as overseas Chinese in countries hit hard by the pandemic. Another 370,000 pieces are planned to be donated in the near term.

A few days ago, the surgical masks donated by Hainan were delivered to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Export Agriculture, Southern Province and Western Province of Sri Lanka for utilization. K. K. Yoganaadan, Acting Ambassador of Sri Lanka in China wrote a letter of thanks, appreciating Hainan's timely donation and valuable support at this critical juncture, and sincerely believing that we could win the fight against the COVID-19 together.

Lucia Pasqualini, the Italian Consul General in Guangzhou, wrote that the pandemic made her "aware of the importance of a global response and international cooperation in facing this global health threat". She thanked Hainan for the warm message and intention to enhance cooperation amid the COVID-19 outbreak. "More importantly, we have all the supports, and we are standing together to fight this common threat... we will eventually prove that working together is the only mean to walk out of the darkness, and resume a peaceful life."