01.06.2020.

The highest military awards presented to the members of the Chinese medical team

Minister Vulin: Presidents Vučić and Xi Jinping have forged a steel friendship

The award ceremony for three members of the medical team from the People's Republic of China who came to Serbia on 4 May this year and were engaged in providing assistance in the prevention of the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, was held today at the Old General Staff.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin and the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilović, with the members of their Collegiums and the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Belgrade, Chen Bo.

Addressing the Chinese delegation, the Minister of Defence stressed the fact that they arrived when the assistance was most needed, at the most difficult moment.

- Leaders of our countries, Presidents Aleksandar Vulin and Xi Jinping, recognized the wishes of our two nations and forged a steel friendship. A friendship made in good times can be a subject of some doubt, but a friendship which is confirmed in the moments when lives are lost and when you fight for the very survival of your nation can never be a subject of any doubt, said Minister Vulin, adding that Serbia is neither populous nor big, but the Serbs are great in their virtues, one of which is that they never forget good or evil.

- You left your children and parents, and you gave us what you needed yourselves. You have given us back hope, shown that we are not alone and that we have someone to learn from. We learned from you as doctors, but also from you as people. You have shown us what discipline, perseverance and diligence are, said the Minister of Defence and added that for our Chinese friends no place was too distant, no situation or task too dangerous or unsolvable.

He added that we received their assistance with gratitude, and that we are very proud of the fact that the Serbian Armed Forces were their host.

- You have indebted us with a great deed, and there are great and powerful nations that remember only as long as they need help, and when the trouble is gone, they forget and turn to themselves. Serbia is not like that and whenever we suffer criticism and hear that the presence of China is too big, and that we are too grateful to China, we will only remind them of the most difficult moments in which we were together - said the Minister of Defence, adding that neither Serbia nor its people, nor President Aleksandar Vučić, forget.

In her address on behalf of the award-winners, Dr. Cheng Shouzhen thanked the Ministry of Defence and pointed out that the medals are recognition of their work and that they represent a symbol of steel friendship between China and Serbia.

She emphasized that the members of the team were honoured by the attention that the two governments gave to the fight against the epidemic, but also by their trust so that they were able to fully devote themselves to field research.

- During our stay in Serbia, the medical team of Chinese experts covered more than 20,000 kilometres, travelled throughout Serbia, and visited Covid hospitals and numerous institutions. We have always had a good experience, we shared our experience, especially from Wuhan, we made suggestions, and exchanged opinions in accordance with the current epidemiological situation in Serbia. We are happy that the Government of Serbia and President Vučić approached the problem responsibly and bravely, they immediately introduced strong measures - from the introduction of a state of emergency to the establishment of various procedures of strict control of preparations for returning to work and resuming production. The number of newly infected, seriously ill and hospitalized patients has been reduced quickly and efficiently - Cheng Shouzhen emphasized and pointed out that, based on the results of the fight against Covid-19, Serbia is currently in an enviable position, not only in Europe but also in the world.

She highlighted the role of the Serbian Armed Forces during the epidemic.

- The Serbian Armed Forces built and started using a temporary hospital. They participated in the prevention and control of the epidemic daily. The Minister of Defence met with us personally several times. All your soldiers are dedicated to their work, responsible and hardworking, and we admire the actions of the Serbian Armed Forces. We believe that Serbia will become an example to everyone regarding the control of the epidemic and the economic renewal - said Cheng Shouzhen.
As the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Belgrade, Chen Bo, pointed out, it is her honour to attend the ceremony, because this is the second time that the Minister of Defence has awarded military commemorative medals to members of the Chinese team of medical experts. According to her, this reflects the attention and trust that the Government of Serbia has shown to the experts, but also the strong friendship that the Serbian people feel towards the Chinese.

- The sudden outbreak of the coronavirus is a great challenge for all the countries in the world. We congratulate the people and the Government of Serbia on the achieved results and victory in the fight against the epidemic and on responding in an excellent way. The Chinese and Serbian people supported and helped each other during the fight against the epidemic, just as Minister Vulin said last time - the friendship between our two nations will be further strengthened during the joint fight - said the Chinese Ambassador, adding that the team of Chinese medical experts, with their Serbian colleagues, went through almost the entire process of the epidemic suppression and control in Serbia.

- Three members from the first group of Chinese experts have been working in Serbia for 72 days, and three more for 28 days. The team of Chinese experts has become a symbol of the steel friendship of our two countries - said Chen Bo and thanked the Serbian people and the Government of Serbia for the trust they placed in Chinese experts, as well as the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, and Minister Vulin and General Mojsilović for their support and care for all members of the Chinese team.

By order of the Minister of Defence and as a sign of recognition for successful cooperation and contribution, members of the medical team from the People's Republic of China, Mr. Liu Dayue, Ms. Tang Kejing and Ms. Cheng Shouzhen, were awarded military commemorative medals for their contribution to the defence system of the Republic of Serbia, the highest military awards given in the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.