China's COVID-19 diplomacy continues, sending medical supplies to Nepal

China on May 7 said it will send medical supplies and relief material to Nepal to help the country combat the surge in coronavirus cases. "Nepal is a friendly neighbour and a strategic cooperative partner of China," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing in Beijing.

He said necessary supplies were collected and would be delivered to Nepal at the earliest. Local governments and various sections of the Chinese society are also providing medical supplies to Nepal, he said, expressing hope that the Himalayan nation would soon prevail over the pandemic.

Nepal is in the midst of a sudden spike in coronavirus cases, prompting the government to order a lockdown till May 12. All markets, schools, colleges, offices, and transportation services, except those operating for emergencies, remain shut.