China-donated COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Rwanda

A shipment of 200,000 doses of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines to Rwanda arrived at the Kigali International Airport in the country's capital on Aug 19.

Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Rao Hongwei and Rwandan Minister of Health Daniel Ngamije attended the vaccine handover ceremony at the airport and signed a handover certificate on behalf of the two governments.

Rao said at the handover ceremony this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Rwanda, and the traditional friendship between the two countries has been steadily developing for half a century. 

After the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Rwanda have worked in solidarity, and the friendship between the two countries has been further sublimated in the fight against the pandemic, Rao said.

Thanks to the joint and efficient efforts of both sides, the vaccines arrived smoothly. This is not only a concrete manifestation of the two sides overcoming difficulties together, but also a vivid portrayal of the profound friendship between the two countries, Rao added.

He said China is willing to continue to provide help and support to Rwanda within its capacity, strengthen cooperation in the medical and health fields, overcome the pandemic as soon as possible, and restore production and living order for the benefit of the two countries and peoples.

On behalf of the Rwandan government, Ngamije expressed sincere gratitude to the Chinese government for the strong support and generous assistance it has been providing to Rwanda in fighting the COVID-19. 

He said that the vaccine donation will significantly accelerate the national vaccination of Rwanda and protect the Rwandan people. The donation is a sign of international solidarity against the pandemic and a symbol of close collaboration between the governments of Rwanda and China. He added Rwanda is willing to continue to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields such as medical and healthcare, and keep pushing forward friendly relations between the two countries.