1. The government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) is holding consultations on receiving the relief supplies that the government of the People’s Republic of China intends to provide for the ROK to support its efforts to tackle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The supplies from the Chinese government are expected to be delivered to people in need in the near future. 

° In his meeting with Mr. Kim Gunn, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on March 6, Chinese Ambassador to the ROK Xing Haiming relayed the Chinese government’s will to provide relief supplies in support of the efforts by the government and the people of the ROK to address COVID-19. In response, Deputy Minister Kim extended appreciation to the Chinese side for offering warm support at a time of difficulty for the Korean people.

° The supplies from the Chinese side will be handed over to those in need through the Korean Red Cross after consultation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

2. Previously, the ROK, through cooperation among various sectors, including the government, provincial government agencies, private groups and enterprises, provided relief supplies to the Chinese side. More recently, provincial governments, private groups and companies of China have been providing their support to the ROK. Through such mutual support, the ROK and China are responding to the recent global challenge caused by COVID-19 and are expected to further strengthen cooperation between their governments and private sectors.