Pakistan is the first country to get vaccine donated by China
▲Click above to subscribe 点击上方蓝字关注我们▲
Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at Nur Khan Airbase. — Photo courtesy NCOC
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said that the arrival of the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines from Beijing was "practical proof" of the Pak-China friendship.
Earlier today, the first batch of the vaccines arrived in the country from Beijing via a special Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft.
Speaking at the Nur Khan Airbase during the handing over ceremony, which was also attended by China's Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, Qureshi said China had once again made a practical demonstration of its friendship with Pakistan.
"This year is even more significant as it marks 70 years since we established diplomatic ties. We have planned to celebrate [the milestone] and open new doors of cooperation and friendship."
Qureshi — on behalf of the government, the prime minister, and the nation — thanked China that had stated since day one that the vaccine would be used for "public good" and to protect people's lives.
"China has demonstrated this [commitment] today and initiated this campaign from Pakistan. This is practical proof reflecting Pakistan and China's friendship."
In addition to thanking Chinese President Xi Jinping, Qureshi also thanked his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.
He added that China had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in the fight against the coronavirus. "The help that they provided us is in front of the nation and I am thankful to China for that too."
'Pakistan first to get vaccine donation from China'
Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong, speaking before Qureshi, said Pakistan was the "first country in the world to receive vaccines donated by the Chinese government", terming it a "manifestation of our brotherhood".
"Pakistan is our closest friend [and] is the priority for our cooperation. We would like to appreciate the Pakistan government for its facilitation in granting emergency approval to [Sinopharm's] vaccine and for conducting the Phase 3 trial [of CanSino vaccine]. We expect more cooperation to follow and more people can benefit from it."
The ambassador too observed that 2021 would mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. "We are proud of the friendship that is higher than mountains, deeper than the sea [and] sweeter than honey. Our hearts grow closer in the joint fight against Covid-19," he added.
He said that cooperation between both countries in the financial sector, including CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) projects, would help Pakistan recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Contributions will be appreciated！
欢迎投稿！
▲ QQ group
▲ Official account