ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for gifting it the Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine which reached the country today.
A ceremony was held at Nur Khan Base in Islamabad where 0.5 million doses were given to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
While talking to media, the foreign minister said the “gift is a practical proof of friendship between the two countries,” adding that “China once again demonstrated its everlasting friendship with Pakistan,” by helping it in times of need.
“This is even more important as we are completing seven decades of diplomatic ties this year,” he added.
FM Qureshi said: “I want to thank the Chinese government, President Xi Jinping, and the people of China on behalf of the Pakistani government and Prime Minister Imran Khan.”
The minister also expressed his gratitude to his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, with whom he was in talks for the early delivery of the vaccine.
Qureshi added that Beijing has stood “shoulder-to-shoulder with Islamabad in the fight against the coronavirus.”
Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong said Pakistan was the “first country in the world to receive vaccines donated by the Chinese government”, calling it a “manifestation of brotherhood”.
Rong said that Pakistan is China’s “closest friend” and is a “priority for cooperation.” The envoy also mentioned Pakistan’s approval of Sinopharm vaccine and trials of another Chinese vaccine.
