On 25th April, 2021, a batch of COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese Government to the Botswana Government arrived in Gaborone, capital of Botswana. H.E. Wang Xuefeng, Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, Hon. Kabo Morwaeng, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Hon. Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation and Hon. Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Health and Wellness received the vaccines at the airport and attended the handover ceremony.
In his remarks, Ambassador Wang reviewed the solidarity and cooperation between China and Botswana in combating COVID-19. In particular, President Xi Jinping and President Masisi exchanged messages twice in this regard, charting the course of the two countries’ joint response to the pandemic. He highlighted that this batch of vaccines is a new milestone in the bilateral anti-pandemic cooperation, and another example of Chin-Botswana profound fraternity. China will continue to work with Botswana to defeat the virus and facilitate economic recovery, so as to elevate the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries to a new high.
Ambassador Wang further pointed out that providing vaccines to the international community is part of China’s commitment made by President Xi Jinping to making Chinese vaccines a global public good. To date, China has donated vaccines to more than 80 developing countries including 35 African countries, and is exporting vaccines to more than 40 countries, contributing with concrete actions to vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries. China will continue to make concerted efforts with the rest of the world to strengthen collective response against COVID-19 and build a global community of health for all.
On behalf of President Masisi as well as the Botswana Government and its people, Minister Morwaeng expressed profound gratitude to China’s donation. He pointed out that the arrival of vaccines across the ocean is a sign of the strong Botswana-China friendship. As Botswana is faced with severe pandemic challenges, the Chinese vaccines will help the country continue with its vaccination plan for more Batswana to improve immunity against COVID-19. He highly appreciated the continued support from China to Botswana throughout the period of the pandemic, and pledged that the Botswana side will work hard to promote the sound bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Wang and Minister Dikoloti signed the Handover Certificate on behalf of the Chinese Government and the Botswana Government respectively. BOPA, BTV, Daily News and a number of other local media houses as well as Xinhua News Agency covered the event.