H.E. Ambassador HU Zhangliang on behalf of the Chinese government, has handed over another batch of COVID-19 vaccine and testing kits in support of the government of Sierra Leone in the fight against the Corona Virus otherwise known as COVID-19.
“This round of donation includes 200,000 vials of COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Sino-pharm, 201,600 pieces of syringes, 40,000 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Nucleic Acid Diagnostic Kits (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) and 50,000 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Antigen Detection Kits (Latex Method),” discloses H.E. Ambassador HU Zhangliang, adding that this donation is to support the government of Sierra Leone in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that the gesture is part of China’s concrete actions in implementing relevant commitments made by H.E. President Xi Jinping at the Virtual Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19. Since last year, he said that the Chinese government and people have provided at least 13 rounds of donation to Sierra Leone for COVID-19 response. He added that this vividly demonstrates the solid friendship between the two countries.
“The donated Chinese vaccine has been included into the WHO emergency use list,” he said, adding that in China over 1.9 billion doses of Chinese vaccine have been administered. Ambassador Zhangling said that the safety and efficacy of the Chinese vaccine has been proven by scientific data.
“I firmly believe that this donation will help beef up Sierra Leone’s tenacious efforts in combating the pandemic and contribute to the final victory,” he said, adding that he has no doubt that the donated items will be taken good care of and put into good use. He went on to say that many developing countries are still facing severe vaccine shortage and it is important for the international community to join hands in promoting fair and reasonable deployment of vaccine. He further disclosed that H.E. President Xi Jinping has solemnly announced on several important occasions that China would make its vaccine a global public good and promote the accessibility and affordability of vaccine in developing countries.
“China walks the talk. To date, China has provided over 700 million vials of COVID-19 vaccine to the world, which is more than all other countries combined,” H.E. Ambassador HU Zhangliang disclosed.
He recalled that on August 5, 2021 China successfully hosted the first meeting of the International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation, adding that H.E President Xi Jinping delivered a written speech to the meeting and announced that China would strive to provide 2 billion doses of vaccine to the world throughout this year and contribute 100 million U.S. dollars to COVAX for the distribution of vaccine to developing countries. At this forum, he said China and other 22 countries issued the Joint Statement of the International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation, advocating equitable global distribution of vaccines.
While the world is in dire need of cooperation and mutual help in combating the pandemic, he said some western countries are not only busy hoarding vaccine and stressing “national priority” in vaccine distribution, but also busy discrediting China and politicizing the issue of the origin tracing of the COVID-19 virus, adding that they deliberately downplay the important role, great success, huge sacrifice and significant contribution China has made in the fight against the pandemic. He said that they choose to turn a blind eye to the fact that China has participated in the international cooperation on origin tracing study of the virus with an open attitude and invited WHO experts to China twice to conduct joint research on the origin tracing, adding that they create rumors and add pressure on the WHO to conduct a so-called second phase investigation with an attempt to advance their agenda of “presumption of guilt” and defaming China. He said China will never accept such attempts and activities.
“The whole world should stand up to oppose the spread of such political viruses,” H.E. Ambassador HU Zhangliang declares. In fighting against the pandemic and tracing the origin of the virus, he went on to say that we need cooperation and not smears, truth and not lies, respect for science and not political manipulation.
“All other places that are suspected to be the origin of the virus should also be investigated. China will continue to exert efforts with all parties including Sierra Leone to build a global community of health for all,” he said, adding that last month, China and Sierra Leone celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He added that over the past 50 years, China and Sierra Leone have been reliable friends and good partners. Looking ahead, he said we are confident in creating an even brighter future.
Receiving the items on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Health and Sanitation Austin Demby applauded the government of China for their unflinching support to the people of Sierra Leone, adding that China has been a reliable partner in the fight against the corona virus in Sierra Leone. He assured H.E Ambassador HU Zhangliang that the vaccines would be used judiciously in supporting the people of Sierra Leone in the fight against the corona virus. He called on other donor partners to emulate the good strides made by the Peoples Republic of China.
