On October 4, the first batch of 3 million doses of vaccines directly purchased by the Angolan government in China arrived in Luanda. Chinese Ambassador to Angola Gong Tao, Minister of State and Director of the Presidential Office for Security and Coordinator of the Interdepartmental Commission on COVID-19 Prevention and Control, Minister of Health Lutukuta And Minister of State Of Angola Fultado attended the welcoming ceremony. Lu Yuzhong, Commercial Counselor of the Chinese Embassy, Mufenda, Secretary of Public Health of the Chinese Embassy and other officials attended the meeting.

In an interview with Angolan state TELEVISION, Ambassador Gong Tao said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the Chinese government has always adhered to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with Angola and other African countries in the fight against the epidemic and provided assistance within its capacity. China has actively implemented President Xi Jinping's important declaration that China's COVID-19 vaccine should be treated as a global public good. So far, China has provided over 1.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine and stock solution to more than 100 countries and international organizations, making tangible contribution to the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. Since the beginning of this year, China has supported Angola in obtaining more than 2 million doses of national medicine vaccines through bilateral assistance and vaccine supply to COVAX program. China and Angola are good brothers and partners sharing weal and woe. The two sides always give top priority to people's life, health and safety. China will continue to fully support Angola's fight against the epidemic, assist Angola in securing the purchase of 10 million doses of national medicines and vaccines, help Angola defeat the epidemic at an early date and jointly build a health community between China and Angola.

Fortado said Angola and China have been united in fighting the epidemic since the outbreak, and China has supported Angola's fight against the epidemic through material assistance, personnel exchanges and technology sharing, for which Angola is deeply grateful. The Angolan government attaches great importance to COVID-19 vaccination and has purchased 10 million doses of national medicine vaccines from Chinese companies. Currently, Angola is at the peak of the third round of the epidemic, and there is an urgent need to speed up the vaccination schedule. The arrival in Luanda today of the first 3 million doses of vaccine purchased by Angola from China is another important outcome of the two sides' anti-epidemic cooperation. It will directly help Angola speed up its national vaccination program, facilitate personnel exchanges and resume work and production. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with China and purchase more supplies from China so as to win the final victory at an early date.

In March, China took the lead in donating 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinophem to Angola. Recently, Angola obtained another 2.18 million doses of Chinese medicine vaccines through the COVAX program and other channels. China Sinophem will provide 10 million doses of vaccine to Angola under the china-Angola vaccine procurement plan.