On 1st September, the first batch of vaccine donations from China, 60,400 doses of Sinopharm vaccines and syringes, arrives in Tarawa in early morning. H.E. Amb. TANG Songgen, Hon. Dr. Tinte Itinteang, Minster for Health and Medical Services, Members of Parliament, officials from Chinese Embassy and Kiribati government joined the handover ceremony at the airport.

In his speech, Amb. Tang introduced China’s efforts and contributions to the global vaccine cooperation. Vaccination is the most effective measure to defeat the virus. During the 73rd World Health Assembly held in May last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would make its vaccines global public goods. As the biggest developing country in the world, China upholds the vision of building a global community of health for all and takes the lead in ensuring accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. China has donated and is donating vaccines to more than 100 countries, and has exported more than 770 million doses of vaccines to over 60 countries, more than any other nations in the world. On 5th August, China held the International Forum on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation. China’s move in promoting international cooperation in vaccines has no political purpose or economic interest. There has never been any political conditions attached to these donations. The Vaccine donation is a vivid reflection of the friendship between China and Kiribati. Chinese government stands ready to work with Kiribati government to bring our bilateral relations to a new level and benefit the people of our both countries.

Hon. Minister Dr. Tinte Itinteang commended China’s contributions in producing and delivering COVID-19 vaccines for the global communities. There is a global shortage of COVID-19 vaccines. Kiribati government is grateful for the generosity from China, which provides Kiribati a life line from the COVID-19 virus. The Sinopharm vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organization for its effectiveness against the COVID-19 virus. The deployment will commence in September to TUC, BTC and outer islands in the southern part of Kiribati.