China-donated COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The first China-donated COVID-19 vaccines to Cambodia arrived in the country's capital Phnom Penh on Feb 7. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen welcomed them at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

Hun Sen made remarks at the handover ceremony held at the airport, saying that there is a saying in Cambodia that good friends will always help in times of need. He added that the donation truly reflects the friendship and close cooperation between China and Cambodia and their people, and will further promote the development of a comprehensive Sino-Cambodian strategic partnership and help build a community with a shared future.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said at the ceremony that the two countries and their people have been standing together with mutual assistance and difficulties since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vaccines were officially handed over to Cambodia with some of them provided directly to the military of the country which fully reflects the brotherly friendship of China and Cambodia.

China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia on pandemic prevention and control and to bolster the capacity of the nation until it secures an absolute victory over the virus.

Cambodia has authorized the emergency use of the China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine on Feb 4. It held a vaccinating training ceremony on Feb 3 at Phnom Penh where Cambodian medical workers were trained to vaccinate by Chinese medical workers.

As of Feb 7 Cambodia had a total of 474 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with zero deaths and 454 recoveries, according to the nation's health authorities.