China-donated COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Lebanon

Representatives from China and Lebanon pose for a group photo in front of the vaccine donated by China at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]

Two batches of COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to the Lebanese government and army arrived at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, on April 6.

Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian and Lebanese Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan attended the vaccine handover ceremony at the airport.

Hassan expressed appreciation for China's assistance after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the port explosions in Beirut and spoke highly of China's vaccine donation to developing countries including Lebanon.

He said that the vaccine donation indicates the humanitarianism of the Chinese government and people. The vaccine will not only protect the people in high risk but help the country recover its economy and public life.

The COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to the Lebanese government and army arrives at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in the capital city of Beirut on April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]

Wang said in his speech that while encountering the pandemic the Chinese and Lebanese people have supported each other and made joint efforts to fight against it. China has overcome difficulties to provide vaccine donation for the Lebanese government and army, which reflected the deep affection of the Chinese government, people and army for the Lebanese people and army and the support from China for the country's anti-pandemic efforts.

Wang said that he believes that China's vaccine donation will play an active role in improving Lebanon's capability to prevent and control the pandemic.

According to the statistics published by Lebanon's health ministry on the night of April 5, the country had reported 1,001 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 34 deaths. It had reported 480,502 confirmed cases, 6,443 deaths and recovery of 386,768 patients.

The COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to the Lebanese government and army arrives at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in the capital city of Beirut on April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]

The COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to the Lebanese government and army arrives at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in the capital city of Beirut on April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]

The COVID-19 vaccine donated by China to the Lebanese government and army arrives at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in the capital city of Beirut on April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]

Lebanese Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan (1st R) speaks at the handover ceremony of the vaccine donated by China at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]

Representatives from China and Lebanon pose for a group photo in front of the vaccine donated by China at the Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, April 6. [Photo by Bilal Jawich/Xinhua]