On March 29, China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Ramallah. Guo Wei, Head of the Office of the People’s Republic of China to the State of Palestine, together with Mai Al-Kaileh, Palestinian Health Minister, attended the vaccine handover ceremony held in the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Guo Wei said that, today, with close cooperation between relevant parties of the two countries, 100,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government to the State of Palestine have been delivered successfully. This vaccine donation to Palestine by China is the latest step to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and is also an important move to fulfill Chinese President Xi Jinping’s solemn commitment to making vaccines a global public good. China has once again supported Palestine in its fight against the pandemic with practical actions.
Soon after China defeated the COVID-19 pandemic in March last year, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping to congratulate China on its success in fighting the pandemic, and he also expressed the willingness to learn from the Chinese experience in fighting the pandemic. In July last year, during the phone call with President Abbas, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that China will continue sharing its anti-epidemic experience with Palestine with no reservation, and try its best to provide materials and technical support. To implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, China has provided multiple batches of supplies, sent medical experts team to Palestine, organized video conferences between Chinese medical experts and their Palestinian counterparts, and offered annual donations and anti-epidemic assistance to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). China’s provision of COVID-19 vaccines to support Palestine’s COVID-19 vaccination plan has once again reflected the sincere friendship of the Chinese people towards the Palestinian people, writing a new chapter for China and Palestine to work together to fight against the pandemic.
Not long ago, during an interview with Arab media, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China has achieved “full coverage” in its anti-COVID cooperation with Arab countries, reached out to the people of Palestine and Palestinian refugees in surrounding areas, and people in Syria and other conflict zones, and so far, China has donated and exported vaccines to 17 Arab states and the Arab League. China, Palestine and other Arab countries have helped one another, and set a fine example of solidarity and cooperation in difficult times, demonstrating the true meaning of jointly tackle challenges.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, as well as the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Palestine. In this special year, China is willing to continue working with Palestine to address challenges to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and continuously add momentum to the friendly relations between China and Palestine.
Mai Al-Kaileh said that these vaccines donated by China is the largest one-time COVID-19 vaccine donation that Palestine has received so far. On behalf of President Abbas, Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and the Palestinian people, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and high appreciation to President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and the Chinese people. Through vaccine donation, China has provided great support and assistance to Palestine in implementing its COVID-19 vaccination plan, reflecting the traditional relationship and profound friendship between Palestine and China .
For more than half a century, China has firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people, laying a solid foundation for Palestine-China friendship. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in Palestine, China has taken the lead in extending a helping hand, actively supports Palestine’s fight against the pandemic, and has sent many batches of urgently needed anti-epidemic supplies, which fully demonstrates that China is the most reliable and trustworthy friend, good brother, and good partner of Palestine. Palestine highly appreciates China’s firm fulfillment of its solemn commitment to making vaccines a global public good, as well as China’s selfless assistance to developing countries including Palestine with a responsible attitude and practical measures. It is believed that Palestine, with the selfless assistance and support of China, will finally score a victory in its fight against the pandemic.
The handover ceremony was reported by nearly 20 local and international mainstream media including WAFA, Palestine Television, Ma’an News Agency, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Al-Quds, Al Jazeera, Al Arabia, AFP, as well as Xinhua News Agency and China Media Group.