Helping humanity in Morocco, the Chinese way

At least 2,122 people have died, 2,421 are injured and the lives of more than 300,000 residents have been hit by a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Morocco on Friday night. This is the worst calamity to hit the country in over 60 years and is even bigger than the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Hours later, China offered emergency humanitarian aid of $200,000 to Morocco, while the China International Development Cooperation Agency expressed its concern and vowed to provide humanitarian aid.

A Chinese medical team stationed in Ben Guerir near the epicenter of the earthquake was at risk when the quake struck. However, instead of fleeing, they continued working and performed multiple caesarean section surgeries, bringing newborns to the world. According to reports, Liu Yan, an obstetrician rushed back to hospital the moment the quake struck to help a woman deliver her newborn amid the aftershocks.

Their commitment in the face of adversity makes them heroes. Every time a disaster struck in China, be it a fire, an accident, a terrorist attack, or the COVID-19 pandemic, there were always heroic firefighters, doctors, and others who rushed to meet the challenges head-on instead of running away. It is such efforts that have helped minimize losses to life and property.

By rendering yeoman service in Morocco, the Chinese medical team has once again honored their name. Way back in 1975, the first Chinese medical team reached Morocco and has, in the past half a century, provided medical services to 1 million local residents.

When an earthquake hit northern Morocco in February 2004, the medical team had saved a young girl's life by carrying out a surgery amid the danger.

This is the way to go for Chinese heroes both inside and outside China.