China and Cambodia "one heart against the epidemic" to provide a new sample of international cooperation

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“This is the first national-level Chinese medicine anti-epidemic medical team sent by the Chinese government to carry out epidemic prevention and control, combined Chinese and Western medicine treatment and training work based on Phnom Penh Kaosma Chinese and Cambodian Friendship Hospital, to introduce Chinese experience in epidemic prevention and control to the Cambodian side, promote Chinese medicine culture and technology, and improve the level of medical and health care in Cambodia.”

The above narrative, titled “The World’s First National Anti-Epidemic Medical Team Helps Cambodia Fight the Epidemic,” was included in the “Top Ten News on China-Cambodia Relations in 2022” published by the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia.

Since May 2022, the Chinese medical team to aid Cambodia in the fight against epidemic has been working at the Sino-Cambodian Friendship Hospital in Kausma for seven months. Spending time with them, Tarun, deputy director of the respiratory department of Kausma China-Cambodia Friendship Hospital, felt it very much. He said in an interview with CNA in early January, “The Chinese doctors fought against the new coronavirus infection together with us, and in the joint collaboration, we found a new way to apply Chinese and Western medicine as a response to the epidemic, which made the patients recover faster and also benefited the local doctors and nurses in Kausma Hospital.”

According to Xu Feng, the leader of the medical team of Chinese medicine against epidemic in Cambodia, during the aid process, the medical team discussed with Cambodian doctors on “patient consultation process” and “medical staff handover process”, and formulated the standard of epidemic prevention process, Chinese experience combined with Cambodian reality, during the epidemic The Chinese experience is combined with the actual situation in Cambodia to prevent patients and doctors from being infected with the virus during the outbreak and epidemic.

“The Chinese medical team not only provided effective combined Chinese and Western medicine treatment for Cambodian patients with neocoronavirus infection, but also led and taught local doctors in outpatient clinics to train local doctors to recognize, understand and be able to gradually apply Chinese medicine in clinical practice to treat neocoronavirus infection and other common diseases.” Talon said.

“China’s dispatch of the TCM anti-epidemic expert group to Cambodia is a new symbol of Sino-Cambodian friendship.” For this aid work, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian commented.

The cooperation between China and Cambodia against the epidemic has further deepened the friendship between the two countries. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was the first foreign head of government to visit China after the New Crown epidemic; the first foreign aid anti-epidemic materials received by Wuhan came from Cambodia; the Chinese government sent the first anti-epidemic medical expert group to Cambodia to neighboring countries; China was the first country to provide vaccine aid and commercial vaccine collection to Cambodia.

“A dear friend will help when he is in trouble.” Hun Sen once quoted this Cambodian proverb, pointing out that vaccines and medical supplies assistance is another strong proof of the hard-core friendship and close cooperation between Cambodia, China and the two peoples.

At the same time, senior officials from various departments of the Cambodian government have also spoken highly of the cooperation between China and Cambodia in fighting against the epidemic on different occasions. Cambodian Health Minister Man Bunheng has repeatedly explained to the public through the media the effectiveness of Chinese vaccines and Chinese medicine in fighting the epidemic. The second vice president of the Cambodian Senate, Dieng, pointed out that the Cambodian and Chinese governments and people have always worked together to build a strong force to fight the epidemic.

At present, China is entering a new phase of epidemic prevention and control, and Cambodia also holds new expectations. “China’s re-optimization of policies for prevention and control is a powerful measure for China to respond to the situation, take the initiative, enhance the precision of epidemic prevention and control, and effectively coordinate people’s safety and health and orderly return to normal life.” Dion commented.

State Secretary of the Cambodian Ministry of Health Ru Songpa also said that China’s adjustment of the epidemic prevention and control measures is prudent and scientific, which not only ensures people’s life safety to the maximum extent, but also restores economic and social rhythm in an orderly manner, which is conducive to the steady development of the region and the world for the better.

“Cambodia and China work together to fight the epidemic to provide a new sample for the international community to cooperate. Entering a new phase, we expect more practical cooperation between Cambodia and China in the fields of trade, infrastructure and medical care, which will inject new vitality into the relationship between the two countries.” Chea Monir, president of the Cambodian Society for the Development of Cambodian-Chinese Relations, told CNA. (End)