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Chinese Ambassador to Albania Zhou Ding (L) exchanges handover certificates with Albanian Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection Mira Rakacolli (C) during a ceremony at Tirana International Airport, Albania, April 25, 2020. A batch of medical supplies donated by the Chinese government arrived at Albania's Tirana International Airport on Saturday to help the country fight the coronavirus pandemic. The medical supplies include testing kits, protective garments, face masks, goggles and gloves. (Chinese Embassy to Albania/Handout via Xinhua)

TIRANA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A batch of medical supplies donated by the Chinese government arrived at Albania's Tirana International Airport on Saturday to help the country fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The medical supplies include testing kits, protective garments, face masks, goggles and gloves.

The donations were welcomed at the airport by Albanian Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection Mira Rakacolli and Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Etjen Xhafaj, who expressed their gratitude to the Chinese government and people for the help.

"These aids show our love for the Albanian people. True friends stand by one-other in hard times. I am convinced that these aids will play an important role in the fight against COVID-19 in Albania," Zhou Ding, Chinese Ambassador to Albania, told reporters.

Rakacolli said that these medical supplies, much-needed at the moment, will increase the capacity Albania needs in its hospitals.

"We thank the Chinese government for the assistance provided to us, and as the head of the World Health Organization has said, we can overcome this global challenge only through solidarity," the deputy minister said.

In his remarks, Xhafaj said that the aids are "much appreciated and necessary for all the medical personnel who are currently fighting in the front line with the pandemic."

"I am confident that together we will overcome this difficult moment with social distancing and by applying the various measures taken by the authorities so far," Xhafaj said.

On Saturday, the health authorities reported 34 new coronavirus cases in Albania, bringing the total in the country to 712, with 403 recoveries and 27 fatalities. Enditem