The Provincial Government of Zhejiang, China has recently donated 100,000 medical masks to support coronavirus response and recovery efforts throughout the state of Indiana.
“It has been incredible to see Indiana companies and partners from across the world shifting gears to help support our health care providers on the frontline,” said Jim Schellinger, Indiana Secretary of Commerce. “We are grateful for the friendship Indiana has cultivated with Zhejiang Province over the last 30-plus years and for their continued partnership during these unprecedented times.”
The face masks were delivered to the State of Indiana for distribution to Indiana’s hospitals, first responders, long-term care facilities and health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. This donation was facilitated by the America China Society of Indiana, which served as the importer on record and intermediary for the shipment. Additional regulatory and customs support were provided by Livingston International.
Since 1987, the state of Indiana has maintained a sister-state relationship with Zhejiang Province. Last September, Governor Eric J. Holcomb made his first official state visit to Zhejiang, traveling with Indiana Secretary of Commerce Schellinger and representatives of the American China Society of Indiana. While there, the delegation visited Hoosier and Chinese businesses and joined provincial officials from Zhejiang Province to renew the Indiana-Zhejiang sister-state relationship, celebrating the economic, cultural and educational connections shared between the two states.
“As our state continues to mitigate the effects of the coronavirus, this generous donation by the people of Zhejiang is welcome and truly appreciated,” said Colin Renk, executive director of the America China Society of Indiana. “It is during times of adversity that true friends are formed.”
This donation represents the sixth major PPE donation to the state of Indiana and its local communities by Chinese partners. Earlier this year, Westfield Outdoors, Faegre Drinker Shanghai Office and Shenzhen Diecasting Mold donated more than 105,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), including face masks, gloves and gowns, to the state of Indiana. Additionally, the city of Hangzhou donated 10,000 medical masks to the city of Indianapolis; and the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, a capital campaign administered by coalition of seven Chinese-American non-profits throughout central Indiana, donated 22,500 PPEs to central Indiana hospital systems and medical centers.