Maldives has received a donation of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccinations.
The Chinese government donated a total of 200,000 Sinopharm vaccination doses to the Maldives, of which the first batch of 100,000 doses arrived in the country via a flight operated by the country’s national airline, Maldivian, late Wednesday.
The first batch of doses of the Chinese Sinopharm Vaccine Donation to the Maldives was received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on behalf of the government, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The second batch of the Sinopharm vaccine produced by Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products of China, is expected to be delivered to the Maldives by March 30.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the Chinese Sinopharm Vaccine Donation to the Maldives, Minister Shahid expressed gratitude to the Chinese people and President Xi Jinping for the “very generous” contribution to the island nation’s ongoing vaccination efforts.
It was out intention to bring the vaccines to the Maldives in the shortest possible time frame. I’m pleased that following the issuance of the emergency use approval for the Sinopharm vaccine on 14 March by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority, we were able to deliver the vaccines on 24 March in exactly ten-days’ time. I would like to thank minister Naseem and the officials at the ministry of Health for their hard work and dear diligence in ensuring that the necessary approvals and arrangements were in place to bring the vaccines.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Highlighting that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his administration made a “strong commitment” to inoculate the entire population of the Maldives against Covid-19 as soon as possible, FM Shahid noted that the government will not discriminate in doing so, irrespective of their nationality, status of residency or where they live in the Maldives.
He noted that the efforts of the Foreign Ministry have been “fully” associated with this goal since then and that the ministry has been working consistently with international partners to make sure that the ongoing vax programme continues “unhindered and uninterrupted”.
FM Shahid went on to thank the Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong, who was also in attendance at the event, for his “leadership” and “close” cooperation extended, in the absence of which Maldives would not have been successful in securing the vaccination doses.
The minister highlighted that Ambassador Zhang and his team and the embassy played a pivotal role in collaborating with the government of Maldives in the time that led up to the delivery of the consignment of vaccinations.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank Aishath Azeema, Ambassador of Maldives to china and her team who helped coordinate our joint efforts in Beijing. I’m especially grateful to the Chinese companies operating here in the Maldives, who had demonstrated their generosity by contributing financially towards covering part of the cost of the flight.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Shedding light on the strong bilateral ties and cooperation Maldives and China have enjoyed over the years, FM Shahid asserted that Maldives intends to continue in the spirit of friendship in close collaboration both bilaterally and the international sphere.
Since the inception of relations, Maldives and China have been collaborating in a number of important areas for the Maldives including economic development, health education, public sector investment and most importantly trade and tourism.
Further, the minister expressed assurance that the important leadership role of the Chinese government will assist Maldives to spearhead efforts to gear up towards global economic recovery following the pandemic.
Highlighting that Maldives looks forward to the full reinstatement of close people-to-people contact, travel and tourism after suffering from unprecedented disruptions due to Covid-19 pandemic, FM Shahid expressed eagerness to welcome Chinese tourist to the Maldives once more.
In order to restore the economic and social wellbeing of the people of Maldives, the minister noted that the reopening of tourism is the most important and “viable” economic recovery efforts that can be undertaken, in light of which he noted the significance of Chinese markets to boost these efforts.
In conclusion the minister praised Ambassador Zhang for his tireless efforts to promote the partnership between both countries, especially during the pandemic, noting that Maldives will forever be grateful for his excellent efforts to further consolidate our bilateral ties.
FM Shahid described Ambassador Zhang, whose ambassadorial tenure comes to an end on April 9, to have carried out his post as Ambassador of China to the Maldives, with “honor and passion”.
Ambassador Zhang has overseen the implementation of important Chinese development projects and initiatives during his time here, directly and positively impacting the lives of many many Maldivian people. We have indeed been privileged to have you as the ambassador of the people’s republic of china to the Maldives. I look forward to the arrival of your successor and assure you of our fullest support and cooperation to the new ambassador. I wish you and your family good health and success in your future endeavors and as a special friend of the Maldivian people, I hope to welcome you back in the not-too-distant future.”Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Maldives launched its National Covid-19 vaccination programme on February 1 with the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccination produced by India’s Serum Institute.
The emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccination was approved by the Food and Drug Authority on March 14 and the public health authorities began administering the first doses of Sinopharm on Monday.
