China-donated COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Republic of the Congo

China-donated COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Brazzaville, capital of the Republic of the Congo on March 10 local time.

Congolese Health Minister Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, Defense Minister Charles Richard Mondjo and Ma Fulin, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, welcomed the vaccine at the airport.

Mikolo expressed her gratitude for China’s generous assistance and said President Denis Sassou Nguesso promised the Congolese people that the COVID-19 vaccine will be available and vaccinations would begin within the first two weeks of March. Thanks to the help of China, a permanent partner of the Republic of the Congo, this commitment has been realized.

China is always the first to stand up and offer selfless support and help when her country encounters difficulties, she said.

This vaccine aid is another example of the cooperation between the two countries in the fight against the pandemic, Mikolo added.

Ma said the aid shows that China has been honoring its commitment made at the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19.

Sino-Congolese friendship and that between China and Africa will be deeper and firmer after the challenge of COVID-19. Like the Congo, many African countries have received or are about to receive vaccine from China. China is ready to work with developing African countries to fight side by side against the pandemic and contribute to building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future and a global community of health for all, said Ma.