Pakistan becomes first nation to receive Chinese Covid-19 vaccine
RAWALPINDI, February 1: China fulfilled its promise of gifting 500,000 doses of novel Coronavirus vaccine to Pakistan on Monday as Pakistan Air Force plane airlifted the first batch of SinoPharm vaccine doses from Beijing.
Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong received the shipment and handed it over to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here at the Noor Khan Airbase. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan was also present on the occasion.
“I think everyone agrees with me that it is not only the vaccine to the people needed in Pakistan but more importantly a new manifestation to our iron brotherhood,” Ambassador Rong expressed after the vaccine donated by the Chinese government arrived in Pakistan. “I am proud to announce that Pakistan is the first country in the world to receive the Chinese government donated vaccine,” the Chinese ambassador said.
President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said that the Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, once developed and put into use, will be for global public goods. “China has honoured its commitment,” Ambassador Rong said, adding, “keeping the huge global need for vaccine in mind, China has lived to its best to offer assistance and support. Pakistan, as our closest friend, is the priority of our cooperation.”
Ambassador Rong appreciated the Pakistan government for its facilitation and cooperation in the approval of the Emergency Use Authorization for SinoPharm’s vaccine and the phase-III trial with the CanSino company of China.
The Chinese ambassador said that he expects more cooperation to follow and more Pakistani people to benefit from the vaccine.
“This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Pakistan. We are proud of this friendship that is higher than the mountains, deeper than the seas and sweeter than the honey,” said the envoy.
Ambassador Rong said that joint fight against Covid-19 with the great solidarity and support has brought “our hearts grow closer” for each other, expressing that the steady progress in bilateral cooperation, including the CPEC, will enhanced in future.
“China is ready to contribute to Pakistan’s pandemic prevention drive, economic recovery and social development,” he said, adding that China is committed to the building of China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future. Following the speech, he handed over the vaccines to the government of Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed that he was delighted to share that China has once again demonstrated its eternal friendship with Pakistan.
“This occasion is more significant because both the countries will be completing seven decades of their diplomatic relations this year. We will fully celebrate this landmark occasion and add new chapters of friendship,” Qureshi said.
The foreign minister thanked the Chinese government, especially President Xi Jinping, on behalf of the government, Prime Minister Imran Khan and people of Pakistan for initially announcing that the vaccine would be used for public good and to save peoples’ lives and now practically proving his words by action.
“China has started (delivery of vaccine) from Pakistan. This is the proof of ever-lasting friendship between Pakistan and China,” Qureshi said, adding, “I want to thank Chinese president from the core of my heart. Qureshi said he also wanted to thank his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, with whom he held talks regarding the vaccine.
Qureshi said that he had discussed the matter with Mr. Yi in December and in January. Mr. Yi shared the good news with him that China would gift 500,000 doses of vaccine to Pakistan. He lauded Chinese ambassador’s efforts as well, saying selecting Pakistan as the first country to receive the vaccine is a proof of ever-lasting friendship between the two countries.
Qureshi said that China stood by Pakistan and extended supported since the country started its fighting against COVID-19. He also thanked the Chinese medical teams, who provided medical training to Pakistani doctors. He appreciated Pakistani pilots who did not take rest for a single-minute in Beijing and immediately brought back the vaccine.
“Pak-China friendship is not just between the two governments; the friendship is people-centric and this is the beauty of it,” Qureshi concluded.
