When Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, made an appeal for international help to tackle the coronavirus spread in the country, the Chinese government was among the first to respond. In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, a group of doctors and medical workers from Wuhan in China flew to Serbia to join the fight against the coronavirus.
Chinese epidemiologists with COVID-19 experience landed in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, along with much-needed testing kits, masks and other medical supplies.
Now, the Australian Chinese community is reaching out to fellow Australian Serbians with the Federation of Chinese Associations in Victoria donating the first batch of one thousand face masks in view of the coronavirus pandemic.
Slobodan Bendjo, a psychologist located in Melbourne’s CBD, said he is overwhelmed with gratitude.
Ms Diana Lin and Mr Slobodan Bendjo proudly hold each others' national flag. Source: Supplied
“China not only takes care of Serbian people in Serbia, they’re also looking out for us here in Australia,” said Mr Bendjo. "It is an amazing display of solidarity between our two nations and communities here in Australia."
Mr Bendjo, who has lived in China and studied Mandarin, said though he has contacts in Australia's Chinese community, he was not expecting such a huge helping hand. In a short speech in Mandarin during the handover, he said that Serbians have a loyal friend in the Chinese community.
“I’m shocked but in the best possible way,” said Mr Bendjo. “We didn’t ask for help. This was their idea and their own desire to help us which is truly the most amazing part of this.”
While the friendship between China and Serbia has grown stronger in recent years amid intensifying trade relations, the coronavirus pandemic is bringing both the communities in Australia closer.
Junxi Su, the president of the Federation of Chinese Associations in Victoria, said the help is symbolic of China and Serbia’s relationship.
“Our nations and our people share similar experiences and we felt the need to help our friends in the diaspora too,” Ms Su said at the meeting.
Mr Bendjo is now taking charge of further distribution. The masks, currently located at his office in Melbourne, can be picked up in person or mailed out at no extra cost to the recipient. Mr Bendjo has offered to cover postage costs.
President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Ms Junxi Su and Mr Slobodan Bendjo. Source: Supplied
“Any member of the Serbian community – individual or business, can contact me and request a delivery of masks. There are thousands of masks but there are also many of us in need, therefore I urge everyone to carefully consider how many they need. I would like to see these masks go out to as many different places, families and business as possible,” said Mr Bendjo.
Mr Bendjo summarised the community exchange with a quote from the famous Serbian poet, Petar II Petrović-Njegoš.
“In Serbian, U dobru je lako dobar biti, na muci se poznaju junaci.”
It’s easy to be a good person when times are good, it’s the hardships that allow us to recognise true heroes.
Don't forget to listen in Serbian! Click the cover photo for the in-language interview.
