ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for providing the first batch of coronavirus vaccine, calling it “practical proof” of the Pak-China friendship.
Talking to media at Noor Khan Airbase, the foreign minister also thanked President Xi Jinping and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi for China’s gesture that once again demonstrated that it stood by Pakistani people in the hour of need.
“This year is even more significant as it marks 70 years since we established diplomatic ties. We have planned to celebrate and open new doors of cooperation and friendship,” he said.
“China has demonstrated this today and initiated this campaign from Pakistan. This is practical proof reflecting Pakistan and China’s friendship,” he added. “The help that they provided us is in front of the nation and I am thankful to China for that too”
He said the friendship between Pakistan and China ere “people-centric” and not limited to the two governments. China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong was also present on the occasion.
On behalf of the government, the prime minister and the nation, Qureshi thanked China for stating since day one that the vaccine would be used for “public good” and to protect people’s lives.
The foreign minister also gave a special mention to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Chinese doctors for coming to Pakistan and training medical health professionals on how to combat the virus.
The foreign minister said another vaccine with joint cooperation of Pakistan and China has successfully passed initial trials. He said the success of this vaccine will be great news for Pakistan.
“The initial reports are very encouraging. If we are successful, then this will be encouraging news for frontline doctors who have taken countless risks to serve the nation. Our elderly, who are more vulnerable, will also be reassured that the vaccine has arrived.”
Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong said Pakistan was the first country in the world to receive vaccines donated by the Chinese government.
“Pakistan is our closest friend and a priority for our cooperation. We would like to appreciate the Pakistan government for its facilitation in granting emergency approval to the vaccine and for conducting the Phase 3 trial. We expect more cooperation to follow and more people can benefit from it.”
The ambassador too observed that 2021 would mark 70 years of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. He said that cooperation between both countries in the financial sector, including CPEC projects, would help Pakistan recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Earlier today, the first batch of the vaccines arrived in the country from Beijing via a special Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft. The batch contains 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine that has been gifted by China. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health (SAPM) Dr Faisal Sultan announced the development and thanked the Chinese government.
