Changsha sends face masks to sister cities in US

The municipal government of Changsha, Hunan province, recently received a letter of gratitude from the city of Annapolis, Maryland, in the United States for its donation of 40,000 medical-grade facemasks in the effort against COVID-19, according to the city's foreign affairs office.

"I am writing on behalf of the residents of the city of Annapolis to thank you for the shipment of KN-95 masks gifted to Annapolis from our sister city of Changsha," Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley wrote in the letter. "We greatly appreciate the masks, but perhaps more so we appreciate the ongoing gesture of international friendship between our two cities that this exchange represents."

"These items of personal protective equipment will be used by our police, firefighters and frontline staff to keep our employees safe when dealing with public issues during the COVID-19 pandemic," he wrote. "It is paramount for the city of Annapolis to maintain workers' safety."

In response to the donation, the mayor sent Changsha officials a book of photographs of Annapolis.

As early as April, Changsha had donated a shipment of personal protective equipment to Annapolis.

Xiao Yali, an official of the Changsha foreign affairs office, explained the reason in a letter.

"Changsha made this donation because we have a strong relationship with Annapolis. As sister cities, we should stand firmly together and support each other. …

"We sincerely wish you and everyone in Annapolis continued good health, and the fortitude to persevere during this challenging period."