5th shipment of China-donated COVID-19 vaccine delivered to Tajikistan

The fifth shipment of 500,000 doses of COVID-19 inactivated vaccines donated by China to Tajikistan arrived at Dushanbe International Airport on Nov 7. A brief reception and handover ceremony was held at the airport. 

Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Farhod Salim, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of Population (MoHSPP) Amirzoda Abdukholoq, Chargé d'Affaires of China's Embassy in Tajikistan Chen Daiwen, and Economic and Commercial Counsellor Sun Yan participated in the ceremony.

Chen said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese and Tajik governments have worked closely and effectively together, and the people of the two countries are supporting each other in the fight against the pandemic. 

China has donated 3.3 million doses of Sinovac vaccine to Tajikistan and the anti-pandemic supplies have been arriving continuously, which has played a role in helping Tajikistan contain the spread of the pandemic, fully reflecting the effective anti-pandemic cooperation between the two countries and the brotherhood of the two peoples, Chen said.

China will continue to support Tajikistan's efforts to combat the pandemic and help Tajikistan to vigorously defend the health of its people and maintain stability during the pandemic. The friendship between the two peoples has been enhanced and a new chapter in the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic partnership has been written, Chen added.

Salim and Amirzoda said it takes good company to walk and good neighbors to live. China has been a good brother and true friend of Tajikistan for a long time. The Tajik side sincerely appreciates the strong support from China in fighting the pandemic. 

Tajik people have praised the Chinese vaccine for its excellent quality and effectiveness, they said.

It is because of the great assistance of Chinese friends that the pandemic situation in Tajikistan has been effectively controlled, and the resumption of work and production has been accelerated. The economy has continued to rebound and people's lives are returning to normal, they said.

Since the pandemic is still severe and the COVID-19 threat during the flu season is increasing sharply, China has once again provided support, which strengthens the determination and confidence of Tajikistan to overcome the pandemic. Tajikistan will immediately organize the vaccination of more people throughout the country.