1st batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to Maldives arrives in Male

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese government to the Maldives, together with part of China-donated anti-pandemic materials, arrived in Male on March 24.

Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong, Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Minister of Health Ahmed Naseem attended the vaccine handover ceremony on March 25.

A plane carrying the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine and some anti-pandemic materials donated by the Chinese government to the Maldives arrives at the Maleweirana International Airport in the Maldives on March 24. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang said at the ceremony that the vaccine donation to the Maldives is a physical manifestation of China's commitment to making vaccines a global public good and a full expression of China-Maldives friendship.

The vaccine donation is of great significance for the two countries to carry out pandemic prevention and control cooperation, defeat the virus as soon as possible, advance their cooperation and restore people exchanges.

Workers move COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese government to the Maldives at the Maleweirana International Airport on March 24. [Photo/Xinhua]

Shahid said that China's timely vaccine donation to the Maldives and support for its anti-pandemic efforts reflect the two nations' traditional friendship.

Maldives President Ibrahim Solih is committed to promoting vaccination of all the people in his country and the China-donated vaccine will help the Maldives' pandemic prevention and control and economic and social resumption and development, he said.

Naseem thanked the Chinese government and people for donating the vaccine to the Maldives. He said the country hopes to strengthen cooperation with China for an early victory in the fight against the pandemic.

It is learned that the second batch of vaccine and some anti-pandemic supplies donated by China will arrive in the near future.

Workers move COVID-19 vaccine donated by the Chinese government to the Maldives at the Maleweirana International Airport on March 24. [Photo/Xinhua]