Zimbabwe has received the second batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donation from China in addition to Sinovac doses procured by the Zimbabwean government.
A chartered Air Zimbabwe plane carrying the vaccines landed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Tuesday morning.
The consignment was received by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, who is also the health minister, the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun and other senior government officials.
The President of Zimbabwe expressed gratitude to the Chinese government in a press statement.
In his acceptance speech, Mnangagwa said the donation marks another milestone in the consolidation of bilateral relations and cooperation between Zimbabwe and China.
“The continued assistance and solidarity has indeed lightened our burden in an otherwise difficult period, whilst also positively impacting the health, well-being, protection and recovery of our people,” he said.
Speaking at the reception ceremony, Ambassador Guo reaffirmed China’s friendship to Zimbabwe, adding that China was a committed front-runner in promoting international vaccine cooperation.
“China is a steadfast advocate for equitable vaccine distribution. We have joined COVAX, under which China has undertaken to provide an initial 10 million doses for emergency use in developing countries,” he said.
Ambassador Guo emphasized that China opposes vaccine nationalism or any attempt to politicise vaccine cooperation and distribution.
“All capable countries should do what they can to provide vaccines to countries in need, especially developing countries, so that people all over the world will be able to benefit from affordable vaccines,” said Guo.
