JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
DONATION OF 100,000 COVID-19 VACCINES FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
PORT OF SPAIN: 19TH MAY, 2021
On May 19th, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China officially handed over its donation of 100,000 Chinese Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was present to witness the signing of the Handover Certificates between Senator the Honourable Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and His Excellency Fang Qiu, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Trinidad and Tobago, during the Ceremony for the Hand Over of Vaccines, which was held at the Diplomatic Centre, Port of Spain.
This significant donation is one of the tangible deliverables from the recent telephone call meeting between His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China and Prime Minister Keith Rowley. It is also the latest concrete fulfillment of President Xi Jinping’s solemn commitment that Chinese Covid-19 vaccines are a global public good, especially for enhancing vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries, including Trinidad and Tobago.
Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, extended gratitude to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government, expressing his appreciation for the substantial number of vaccines which will have a positive effect on the efforts of Trinidad and Tobago to mitigate the Covid-19 virus and restore normalcy to the country. The Prime Minister commended Chinese President Xi’s commitment of making Chinese Covid-19 vaccine a global public good, as it greatly contributes to equitable access to vaccines as strongly advocated by Trinidad and Tobago and CARICOM. He further recognized that Trinidad and Tobago and China have stood together in solidarity since the outbreak of this pandemic, supporting each other both in morale and materials. This generosity from China is the latest testament to the long-standing robust China-Trinidad and Tobago partnership in safeguarding and advancing the wellness and well-being of their peoples.
Ambassador Fang Qiu emphasized that as Chinese President Xi Jinping said, solidarity and cooperation are the most potent weapon to overcome the pandemic. This donation of 100,000 Chinese Covid-19 vaccines embodies the strong partnership and earnest friendship between the two countries and peoples in building a common community of health and prosperity shared by all. China will remain committed to supporting Trinidad and Tobago in its efforts to combat the pandemic and recover its economy. China will also continue to cooperate with other countries in solidarity and work tirelessly for humanity's final victory against this pandemic.
Trinidad and Tobago and China promote vaccine equality as the means to protect all nations that have been impacted by the repercussions of the pandemic. Together, both sides renew their commitment to advancing cooperation in various economic and social areas, especially in anti-pandemic efforts at this critical point, which will benefit the people of the two nations.
Relevant Chinese Governmental units and agencies, along with the Chinese Embassy in Port of Spain, worked in unison with the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Beijing and agencies in Trinidad and Tobago, exhibiting exemplary collaboration that was instrumental in achieving rapid delivery of the vaccines.
