The Chinese government is offering to help India, despite the chill in bilateral relations between the two countries. “The Chinese side notes that the epidemic situation in India is severe and there is a temporary shortage of epidemic prevention and medical supplies. We are ready to provide necessary support and assistance to India so that they can control the epidemic,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin April 22.
China’s Global Times editorialized at length on the matter, yesterday. “India’s COVID-19 epidemic situation is clearly out of control.… The Indian medical system has, in fact, collapsed. Many hospitals lack oxygen for critically ill patients.… The New Delhi High Court angrily asked the Modi administration to `beg, borrow, steal or import’ oxygen to save people’s lives.”
(International media also report the Delhi High Court pleading with state and federal authorities: “It’s a tsunami. How are we trying to build capacity?” and warning darkly: “We know how people react, let’s not have a law and order situation.")
