Harare (New Ziana) – Chinese President Xi Jinping has donated 10 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Zimbabwe to add impetus to the country’s widely commended vaccination programme, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Wednesday.
The timely donation comes as Zimbabwe has extended the vaccination programme to the 16-17 year age group and as it has also started offering 3rd booster jabs.
Addressing the nation, President Mnangagwa applauded China’s support and commitment to availing vaccines to Zimbabwe and other countries.
“The assistance comprising 4 million Sinopharm doses and 6 million Sinovac doses is in addition to the 2 million doses Zimbabwe has received as donation since February 2021 from the People’s Republic of China,” he said.
“This is highly commendable and represents compassionate leadership, absolute regard for human life, dignity and safety, as well as exemplary global solidarity in the face of the unprecedented health challenges of our time wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
President Mnangagwa said the donation was a sign of the overall excellent bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China.
He said the strong ties had culminated in several Chinese funded developmental projects such as the Hwange Power Station expansion; the upgrading and expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the construction of the new Parliament building.
“As you are aware, the implementation of these priority projects is progressing well in spite of the delays occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. All these projects bear testimony to the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation that Zimbabwe and China have nurtured since the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence,” he said.
“As we broaden and deepen these relations, we are cognisant of the scope and huge potential for mutual benefit, growth and development in key areas in which Chinese investments and support would be quite instrumental in stimulating Zimbabwe’s efforts to achieve Vision 2030 of an upper-middle income economy.
“Intervention can take but may not be limited to support in the production or financing of several projects such as the manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, development and access skills to and technology Chinese market of Zimbabwe’s agricultural products, including citrus and horticulture, as well as funding Zimbabwe’s go-green commitments.”
China has played a commendable role in Zimbabwe’s Covid-19 fight, availing medical staff, sundries and vaccines.
New Ziana