Feature: Kazaks pour sympathy, support into China's anti-virus fight

Source: Xinhua| 2020-02-18 10:21:17|Editor: huaxia

by Ren Jun, Zhang Jiye

NUR-SULTAN, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- "The East Lake, Yellow Crane Tower, cherry blossoms in Wuhan University, the Yangtze River bridge..." Ravil Budukov, 31, who has been to Wuhan twice, said he never forgets the charm of the lovely Chinese city which is now fighting the novel coronavirus disease, now known as COVID-19.

"I miss the bustling pedestrian street of the Optics Valley, snack stalls of Chuhehan Street and cruise tours along the East Lake," said Budukov, a Kazak who studied in China and has worked on China-related issues in Kazakhstan since 2009.

"Since the outbreak of the epidemic in China, I felt immediately obliged to do something because my life has been connected to China. I also have friends in Wuhan," Budukov told Xinhua.

Since late January, Budukov has bought several batches of masks and asked friends aboard a plane from Kazakhstan's Nur-Sultan to China's Urumqi to transport the masks, which were later sent by mail to Wuhan.

Budukov also organized a group on social networks to raise funds and rally Kazakh volunteers to lend help.

"We must help China in the fight against the epidemic," said Budukov.

Like Budukov, many Kazaks from different walks of life have backed China on the fight against COVID-19 in various ways.

Recently, a Russian version of a popular Chinese music video "Wuhan Children" (Wuhanya) has gone viral on Kazakh social media.

Marat Zhunisbekov, a photographer and teacher at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, posted his version of the video expressing good wishes to the Chinese people.

"I was deeply moved by the beautiful lyrics and cannot hold my tears. The song must be written by those who love their homeland with full hearts," said Zhunisbekov, who has been promoting the video to rally more support for China's fight against COVID-19.

"We Kazakh people have a tradition of praying for our neighbour's wellbeing, ...now that our neighbour has difficulties, we should take action to help China ride out the storm." Zhunisbekov said.

"The coronavirus is an enemy of all human beings, and we have to face it all together. No man is an island. Kazakhstan will stay with China," he said.

Kazakh business communities have also been helping out. In a fund-raising event initiated by Kazakhstan-China Trade Promotion Association, a total of 126 Kazakh companies donated money or medical gears, including masks, medical gloves, rubbing alcohol and other necessities.

Budukov said he is confident that China can overcome the difficulties and win the battle against COVID-19.

"Chinese people have shown great unity and resilience in dire times. It seems that there were no problems that the Chinese people could not cope with in Chinese history," he said.

Kazakh poet Abai Kunanbayev once said, "After a harsh winter, spring follows, with its flowers and splendour." Budukov has a plan after the epidemic fight is over: "I will meet friends in Wuhan and appreciate cherry blossom."

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