Chinese Ambassador to Syria Feng Biao (4th L) shakes hands with the head of the University Children Hospital Rustom Makkieh during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Higher Education in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 18, 2020. The Chinese embassy has donated medical equipment to the University Children Hospital in the Syrian capital Damascus. The donations aim to improve the medical services in the Bone Marrow Transplant Center in the University Children Hospital, according to a statement by the Chinese embassy. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

The Chinese embassy has donated medical equipment to the University Children Hospital in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Chinese Ambassador to Syria Feng Biao and the head of the University Children Hospital Rustom Makkieh signed a receipt note during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Higher Education in Damascus on Tuesday.

The donations aim to improve the medical services in the Bone Marrow Transplant Center in the University Children Hospital, according to a statement by the Chinese embassy.

Minister of Higher Education Bassam Ibrahim expressed gratitude to China during the ceremony, saying China and Syria always work to develop mutual relations, particularly on the education level.

"We value China for offering this gift and we are always working together to develop these relations, particularly on the education and research level," Ibrahim told reporters.

For his side, Feng said he is glad that the donations were made for the wellbeing of children in Syria.

"Children are always the roses of the homeland and the nation's hope for the future," the ambassador said.

China has recently offered help to Syria to fight against the COVID-19 virus.

On April 15, China delivered the first batch of medical aid, including 2,016 COVID-19 test kits, to Syria. On June 4 and June 24, Syria received another two batches of medical supplies donated by China, including test kits, protective suits, masks, goggles, and infrared thermometers.

On April 23, a video-conference was held between Chinese and Syrian medical experts for sharing the experiences in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

On June 24, the Syrian Health Ministry received a new batch of Chinese medical equipment, the latest in a string of the Chinese aid shipments for Syria to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.