China to continue helping Pakistan during pandemic: FM Spokesperson Zhao Lijian

BEIJING:

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian has said that China will continue to work with Pakistan to strengthen anti-epidemic cooperation including vaccine cooperation and to contribute to building a global community of health for all.

The remark came during a regular news briefing in Beijing in response to the administration of the China-made Sinopharm vaccine to President Dr Arif Alvi and First Lady Samina Alvi in Islamabad.

Noting the relevant reports, the spokesperson said, China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. “Pakistan is the first country to receive the Chinese aided vaccines in the world, which reflects our special friendship, and which also represents new highlights in our practical cooperation,” he added.

On Monday, President Alvi and the first lady got their anti-Covid shot in Islamabad with the former urging the nation to take precautions to make Pakistan sail through the third wave of the pandemic.

Talking to the media, the president said the elite across the world had been breaking the queue to get vaccinated but in Pakistan, the government had put in place an efficient mechanism for vaccination of the people on their turn.

Calling the Covid-19 a deadly disease, President Alvi said it affected the elderly more than others and it could only be tackled through precautions.

Earlier today, a second batch of the Sinopharm vaccines from China to inoculate the population against Covid-19 arrived in Pakistan.

PM’s Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan received the 0.5 million jabs at the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, the ministry of health said.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Faisal said that China has always extended a helping hand to Pakistan in crucial times, and thanked the Chinese government for its generosity.