China has been at the center of the world stage. The China Gateway has received caring messages from our colleagues, alumni and friends from all over the world. We want to thank all of you for the support. The university has announced guidelines for all students, faculty and staff in response to the international viral outbreak of COVID-19. We encourage you to carefully follow the guidelines for prevention which are available on the Wexner Medical Center's website. Meanwhile, the university leadership has shared messages to our Chinese students and alumni community to express support to them and their families.
Wuhan has always had a special place in my heart. In the last 10 years, Wuhan is where I have visited the most due to the fruitful partnerships we have with our sister institutions Wuhan University, Central China Normal University and Hua Zhong Agriculture University. Hubei Province, where Wuhan is the capital, is the sister state to Ohio, the first sister state-province relationship between China and the U.S. after the establishment of diplomatic ties. In 2019, we celebrated our 40 year friendship with a phenomenal The Imperial Bells of China: Chimes in Concert presented by Hubei artists at the Riffe Center in Columbus.
With the close ties between Wuhan and Columbus, I have seen our alumni, faculty and parents help Wuhan and Hubei in various ways to fight the virus. For example, the Wuhan University Alumni Association in central Ohio initiated a fundraising campaign to purchase and send medical supplies to the hospitals in Wuhan. A Buckeye alumnus was involved in the building of HuoShenShan hospital, an Ohio State faculty member is offering expert advice for disease control and an Ohio State parent is working in the community to keep functions orderly and safe.
A popular poem was first printed on the medical supplies donated by the HSK Japan office. It writes, "山川异域，风月同天." The direct translation is, "Though separated by mountains and rivers, we share one moon under the same sky."
Stay Strong, Wuhan. I look forward to revisiting you when you fully recover.
Sincerely,
Phoebe You
Director of the China Gateway |
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