VIENTIANE, April 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese military medical expert team bringing along medical materials aided by China's defense ministry arrived in Lao capital Vientiane on Friday afternoon to join Laos' efforts in fight against the COVID-19 epidemic.

The team, namely the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control expert team, was warmly received at the Wattay International Airport of Vientiane by Lao Deputy Defense Minister Aesamay Leuangvanxay and other high ranking army officers, and Chinese ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong.

"In the crucial time when Laos is confronted with a huge challenge of epidemic prevention and control, we are grateful that the Chinese army sent the anti-epidemic medical experts and contributed a large number of epidemic prevention materials," Aesamay said.

China has shared anti-epidemic experiences with other countries, provided assistance to many countries and dispatched teams of medical experts, demonstrating the broad mind of building a community of shared future for mankind, the Lao official said.

The Lao side believes that with the valuable assistance from the Chinese comrades, "we will surely further improve our prevention and control capabilities and win the fight against the epidemic."

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said that the joint efforts of the two armed forces in fighting the epidemic is another important move taken by China and Laos to fight the epidemic together.

The Chinese military medical expert team is bringing a wealth of practical experiences in fighting COVID-19, said the ambassador, adding that the team will strive to adapt to local situation and achieve effective results.

Team leader Ti Xinyu said the Chinese experts will share their experiences with the Lao counterparts, and provide consultation on virus detection and confirmation, disinfection and infection control, epidemiological investigation and personnel protection, clinical diagnosis and treatment training, among others.

Ti said his team is willing to assist the Lao side to enhance its comprehensive prevention and control capabilities, establish a long-term prevention and control mechanism, and contribute to consolidating and developing friendly relations between the two armies and building a community with a shared future between China and Laos.

The Chinese military medical expert team handed over anti-epidemic medical materials, including test kits, preventive clothing and face masks.

Laos detected its first two confirmed COVID-19 cases on March 24, and only after five days, the first Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team from Yunnan Province arrived in capital Vientiane on March 29 to help. The Chinese medical team, including experts in various fields such as infection prevention and control, intensive care, epidemics, and laboratory testing, also brought along with medical treatment, protective supplies and a batch of Chinese and western medicines.

The Lao Health Ministry announced at its daily press conference that the country had detected 19 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Friday afternoon. Enditem