Surinamese president attends China-donated COVID-19 vaccine handover ceremony

The handover ceremony of China-donated COVID-19 vaccine to Suriname was held at the office of the Surinamese president on July 2.  

Chinese Charge d'Affaires to Suriname Ren Hongyan and Surinamese Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin signed the vaccine handover certificate on behalf of their respective governments, with Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Public Health Minister Amar Ramadhin attending the handover ceremony.

Santokhi expressed his heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Surinamese government and people for China's vaccine assistance. He said the donation will improve the vaccination rate of the Surinamese people and help the country overcome the pandemic at an early stage.

Suriname and China have just celebrated the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and Suriname has sent congratulations to China on the centenary of the Communist Party of China, he said.

He said that the two countries have a long history of friendship, mutual respect and solidarity, and thanked overseas Chinese in Surname and Chinese with Surinamese nationality for the important contributions they have made in this regard.

Ren said that China's assistance to Suriname reflects the sincere friendship of the Chinese government and people to the Surinamese government and people.

He said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China and Suriname have stood by each other and shared the difficulties, becoming a model of international cooperation in fighting the pandemic. Chinese vaccine assistance to Suriname is another example of China in fulfilling its commitment to make its COVID-19 vaccine a global public good. China is willing to continue to provide support to Suriname within its capability for an early victory over the pandemic and economic recovery.