Chinese aid delivered to Germany's Heidelberg

A batch of medical supplies from China has been delivered to Germany's southwestern city of Heidelberg to help combat the coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Germany on Wednesday.

Thomas Rabe (L), a doctor of the Heidelberg University School of Medicine in Germany, and his wife (R) pose for a group photo as they receive medical supplies from a staff member of Chinese Embassy in Germany, in Heidelberg, southwestern Germany, April 21, 2020. A batch of medical supplies from China has been delivered to Germany's southwestern city of Heidelberg to help combat the coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in Germany on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

The supplies, including 30,000 masks and 200 protective suits, were sent by Nanjing municipal government through a chartered plane, after Thomas Rabe, a doctor of the Heidelberg University School of Medicine in Germany, sought China's help.

Rabe's family has an indissoluble bond with China.

More than 80 years ago, during the Nanjing Massacre, his grandfather John Rabe, known as the "Oskar Schindler of China," formed the Nanjing Safety Zone with many international comrades, taking in and saving more than 200,000 Chinese lives.

In a call to the Chinese embassy, Rabe said his family and the local hospitals were short of protective supplies.

The Chinese embassy promptly took care of the customs clearance procedure and a working team delivered the supplies within one day on Tuesday after a 700-kilometer drive from Berlin, said a statement from the embassy.

Rabe said the help from China during the raging pandemic made him realize that "China will never forget to give friends a helping hand."

A representative for the mayor of Heidelberg said the city government will distribute the supplies to the medical staff fighting the epidemic as soon as possible to make the best use of them.

Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Ken wrote Rabe a letter, expressing the hope that the medical supplies with the friendly feelings of the Chinese people can make a positive contribution to the city's fight against COVID-19.