[Commentary] In early April, in order to solve the shortage of medical supplies in Australia to fight against the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the first batch of medical supplies purchased by the Mingde Road Foundation in China was shipped from Shanghai to Perth, the capital of Western Australia in batches. After the arrival of these medical supplies, the daily virus detection capacity of Western Australia increased from 400 to 10,000. Andrew Frist, chairman of the Mind Road Foundation and chairman of FMG, Australia's third largest iron ore producer, thanked China for providing Australia's most urgently needed medical supplies in order to ensure Australia's medical order in the context of competing procurements from various countries.
[Same period] Andrew Frist, chairman of Mind Road Foundation and chairman of Australian iron ore producer FMG
The people of China and Australia have a profound friendship. Now we (during the epidemic) seek help from China, and China has given us great support. I want to say that I really appreciate the Chinese people.
[Commentary] In fact, as early as the outbreak of the New Crown Outbreak, FMG donated AUD 1 million to the Wuhan Qingshan Charity Federation to support the transformation of the Wuhan Iron and Steel Sports Center owned by Wuhan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., a long-term customer of FMG Group, into 388. Cabin hospital with beds. Frist believes that this is a true reflection of the profound friendship between the people of Australia and China.
[Same period] Andrew Frist, chairman of Mind Road Foundation and chairman of Australian iron ore producer FMG
We are facing global challenges. The Chinese epidemic had a great impact on the people in the early days, but the Chinese government's actions were both rapid and decisive, which is exactly what other countries can learn from. When an epidemic occurred in Wuhan, we transported anti-epidemic materials from Australia to China. Now that the Australian epidemic is spreading, the Chinese people have also sent epidemic prevention materials, and we feel international cooperation from it. Those who accuse others and dump other countries are really wasting time.
[Commentary] In February of this year, Frist and Elizabeth Gaines, CEO of FMG Group, published a signed article "Let us support China" in the "Western Australian". Thank you for the sacrifice made by China, do your utmost to support China, and believe that the Chinese people will overcome the epidemic. Talking about this, Frist said:
[Same period] Andrew Frist, chairman of Mind Road Foundation and chairman of Australian iron ore producer FMG
We (Australia and China) coexist and win-win in trade and our cooperation is very close. Such prevalence may strike again and again in the future. The new global pneumonia epidemic is a dangerous global pandemic, but it is not the most dangerous. We should learn a lesson from it, so that if more dangerous diseases spread in the future, our response measures will be more comprehensive.
【Explanation】 FMG has exported iron ore to China for 11 consecutive years, and China's imports account for 90% of the company's annual output. Because of close cooperation with China, FMG has jumped from an emerging iron ore company to the third largest iron ore giant in Australia.
[Commentary] In Australia, Frist is a well-known person; in China, he also has many friends. He told reporters that whenever they asked friends on both sides how to treat each other, they all expressed appreciation for each other's country. For some media to describe Australia-China relations in a negative tone, Frist believes that this is irresponsible behavior.
[Same period] Andrew Frist, chairman of Mind Road Foundation and chairman of Australian iron ore producer FMG
I know some media reports that describe Australia-China relations in a negative tone, which I think is irresponsible. I also know that some politicians try to gain public opinion through anti-Chinese speeches, but these people cannot represent the Australian people. The Australian people know that we make sure they know that when China needs assistance, Australia stands up; now when Australia needs assistance, the Chinese people also stand up.
(Reporter Tao Shelan Australia reports)
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]