China-donated COVID-19 vaccines land in Burkina Faso

A shipment of COVID-19 vaccines donated by China arrived at the Ouagadougou Airport in Burkina Faso on Sept 18.

Li Jian, Chinese ambassador to Burkina Faso, attended the handover ceremony together with Clarisse Mérindol Ouoba, minister delegate to Burkina Faso's foreign minister, Emmanuel Sorgho, director of the general office of Burkina Faso's Ministry of Health, Barbara Manzi, resident coordinator of the United Nations in Burkina Faso, and Alimata J. Diarra-Nama, representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Burkina Faso.

A handover ceremony is held at the Ouagadougou Airport in Burkina Faso on September 18 to mark the arrival of China-donated COVID-19 vaccines.

In his address at the ceremony, Li said as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc worldwide, China has persisted in its efforts to assist other countries in their battle against the contagious virus. China, following the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith in the development of its diplomatic relations with African countries and of a China-Africa community with a shared future, has conducted a large amount of cooperation with Burkina Faso and other developing countries in fields such as medical supplies donation, information sharing, experience exchanging, and medical experts dispatch.

Vaccines are a powerful weapon to combat the pandemic and an important component of China's anti-pandemic aid to other countries, Li said, adding that the latest donation of Chinese vaccines to Burkina Faso has been a symbol of friendly relations between the two countries and the profound friendship between the two peoples, which represents the joint efforts to tide over this difficult time.

Li said he believes that the Chinese vaccines, marking a new starting point for anti-pandemic cooperation between the two countries, are expected to play an active role in helping Burkina Faso better combat COVID-19 and protect the health of its people. China is willing to join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder with Burkina Faso till the very end of the battle against the pandemic, he added.

Li Jian (L), Chinese ambassador to Burkina Faso, and Clarisse Mérindol Ouoba, minister delegate to Burkina Faso's foreign minister, exchange documents at the handover ceremony.

Ouoba, on behalf of her country, voiced appreciation for the COVID-19 vaccines offered by China.

China has always stood firmly on the side of Burkina Faso and provided it with much assistance since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, adding that the pandemic situation in Burkina Faso is generally manageable thanks mainly to China's assistance. However, she said, Burkina Faso may not rule out the resurgence of COVID-19 because of the continuous mutation of the virus and the deterioration of the pandemic situation in neighboring countries. The latest shipment of vaccines has brought Burkina Faso and its people confidence in the fight against the pandemic, Ouoba said, adding that Burkina Faso will cherish and make full use of the vaccines in enhancing protection and reducing infection for its people.

Alimata said China and the international community have provided each other with support and jointly overcome difficulties since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, making positive contributions to global anti-pandemic cooperation.

The COVID-19 vaccines offered by China have been validated by the WHO for emergency use, she said. They have received wide recognition for their safety and efficacy and will provide people in Burkina Faso with an additional option of vaccination, Alimata added.