Zimbabwe receives 2nd shipment of COVID-19 vaccine aid from China

A plane chartered by the Zimbabwean government carrying the second batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China arrived at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on March 16.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice-President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga and other officials attended a grand welcoming ceremony.

Mnangagwa said that the pandemic is still spreading globally and a few countries are competing fiercely for vaccine resources. China has actively pushed vaccine cooperation forward, strongly supported Zimbabwe's anti-pandemic fight and made great contributions to protecting the Zimbabwean people’s life security and health, and helping the country to realize its 2030 development vision. All of these steps reflect the good tradition of unity and cooperation between the two countries and the profound meaning of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

On behalf of the Zimbabwean government and people and in his own name, Mnangagwa sincerely thanked China and the brotherly Chinese people for their generous support to Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is looking forward to further expanding and deepening relations with China in the post-epidemic era and the time-tested traditional friendship between the two countries will grow stronger and stronger as time goes by, said Mnangagwa.

Chiwenga thanked China for its firm support to Zimbabwe since its war of independence, saying that the Chinese vaccine is of great significance in Zimbabwe's fight against the pandemic and resumption of work and production. Zimbabwe is willing to continue to deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, said Chiwenga.

In his speech, Guo said that China has provided two batches of vaccine assistance to Zimbabwe, which is a vivid illustration of the profound friendship as well as solidarity and mutual assistance between the two countries and peoples. 

China and Zimbabwe are good friends, brothers and partners. The two countries have worked hand in hand to fight for national liberation, defend national sovereignty and equality, advocate international fairness, justice, solidarity and cooperation, and make positive contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Guo.

China will continue to support Zimbabwe in overcoming the pandemic at an early date and achieving economic and social recovery, he added.