On the evening of March 3, the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese Government arrived in Dominica's capital city Roseau. On the morning of March 4, the handover ceremony was held at Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, attended by Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, House Speaker Joseph Issac, Foreign Minister Darroux, Health Minister MacIntyre, Public Works Minister Laville, etc, and Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy Luo Songtao.
The Prime Minister said Dominica highly commends the commitments made by President Xi Jinping to make the vaccine a global public good and contribute to its accessibility and affordability in the developing countries. He recalled his phone conversation with President Xi on January 25, when the Chinese President promised that China would continue to help with Dominica's efforts to contain the pandemic. The precious gifts Dominica receives today are yet another testimony to the solid and reliable friendship that exists between the two countries.
The Prime Minister added China's vaccine technology is mature and stable, and its safety and effectiveness have been widely confirmed.
He reaffirmed commitments to the One China policy and China's peaceful reunification. In concluding, he said "谢谢" in Chinese meaning "Thank You" to express his heartfelt thanks to President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Government and Chinese people.
Charge d'Affaires Luo Songtao said that facing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government has always upheld the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and has been dedicated to making vaccines accessible and affordable to developing countries. China and Dominica have always been supporting each other in the fight against the pandemic ever since its onset and China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Dominica.
After the ceremony, Dominican Cabinet members and Parliamentary representatives received the vaccines.