Handover Ceremony held for Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines donated by China

One million doses of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar arrived at Yangon International Airport by CZ 8083 Airlines at 10 am yesterday.
The handover ceremony was attended by Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win and Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China Mr Chen Hai.
At the ceremony, the Chinese ambassador explained the reasons for donating vaccines.
He said that one million doses of the Sinovac vaccine arrived here are the first batch of the two million doses of vaccine donated by the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar.
The remaining one million vaccines will be donated across the Sino-Myanmar border early next year, the ambassador said.
He said that it will be able to play an important role in research and staff training after completion of the training programme for the Myanmar Center for Disease Control, which is funded by the Chinese government.
The Sino-Myanmar joint venture successfully opened the COVID-19 Medical Zone at the Muse 105th Mile Trade Centre.
He said that China and Myanmar will work together to eradicate epidemics in a friendly manner.
The Union Minister thanked the two countries for their mutual benefit during the 70 years of Sino-Myanmar diplomatic relations.
“We can see that we have been able to set development models together. We thank the President and Government of the People’s Republic of China for donating 10.3 million COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to pause the pandemic.
“Under the leadership of the Chairman of the State Administrative Council, Myanmar was able to control the third wave of COVID-19 well and successfully overcome it.
China has donated vaccines to Myanmar, as well as multidisciplinary cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 disease and also facilitated the import of oxygen generators and medical equipment,” the Union Minister said.
He also said that the two countries will strengthen cooperation in the field of epidemic control in the Sino-Myanmar border area, which will help revive border trade.
Afterwards, the Union Minister and the ambassador signed a memorandum of understanding on the transfer of vaccines and the Union Minister returned the certificate of appreciation.
Afterwards, the Union Minister and the ambassador inspected the incoming vaccines at Yangon International Airport.
Officials from the Ministry of Health, representatives from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yangon Region Public Health and Medical Services Department also attended the event. —MNA