Zimbabwean president receives 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines donated by China
Chinese, South African communist parties kick off joint centennial celebrations
Both the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) were founded in July 1921, an extraordinary milestone of the international communist cause. To celebrate the centenary of the founding of both parties, the two parties jointly held an opening ceremony for a webinar on the joint celebration of two centenaries on February 2. An official from the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and Solly Mapaila, First Deputy General Secretary of the SACP, gave speeches at the opening ceremony. In his speech, the CPC official noted that in the past 100 years, the CPC has always kept in mind its founding mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. By upholding its nature as a Marxist party and integrating the basic principles of Marxism with the reality of the country, the CPC has explored a road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which has brought profound changes in China, he said. He also noted that the SACP, guided by Marxism, has been committed to national liberation and socialist exploration, and has played an irreplaceable role in building a new South Africa. The centurylong struggle of the two parties for their missions has made remarkable contributions to the global socialist movement, proving the validity of Marxism and demonstrating the strong vitality of socialism. He said that China will plan and implement a series of activities to celebrate the common centennial and use the opportunity to enhance the institutionalization of exchanges between the two parties. He called for strengthened exchanges and cooperation between the two parties to make greater contributions to the cause of human progress.
Reviewing the history of the SACP, Mapaila pointed out that the party led the South African people in their heroic and remarkable struggle against colonialism and apartheid, which achieved a democratic breakthrough. The new South Africa was established in 1994. The South African society has undergone a tremendous transformation ever since and the well-being of the people has been significantly enhanced, with millions of people benefiting from it. Noting China’s success in eliminating absolute poverty, he said the centurylong development of the CPC and the extraordinary achievements of the socialism with Chinese characteristics have greatly inspired the development of socialism in Africa and the world. He also said that the SACP hopes to enhance inter-party communication with the CPC and further deepen cooperation on epidemic control, party building, national policymaking, trade and investment, among others.
In the end of his speech, he pointed out that the SACP and the CPC have strong similarities and are complementary to each other, and have together made important contributions to the cause of socialism. He looked forward to the centennial celebrations with the CPC to further strengthen the cooperation between the two parties.
HARARE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday officially received 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the handover certificate of the donation with Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun at State House in Harare, Mnangagwa said the Chinese government has shown its commitment to assisting Zimbabwe in its fight against the pandemic.
“Yet again, the People’s Republic of China has demonstrated its solidarity by being the first to partner with us in the effort to vaccinate our people. We are confident that this will enable us to enter new dawn in our fight against this global pandemic,” Mnangagwa said.
He expressed his gratitude to China for always being a steadfast partner to the people of Zimbabwe.
“Even as you battled the vaccine on your own shores in China, you never neglected to lend a helping hand to Zimbabwe.
“This consistent display of unwavering partnership is a strong
evidence of the strength of our bilateral relations, close and enduring ties between our two peoples,” he said.
Mnangagwa said the kind
gesture testifies to the commendable leadership role that China has continued to play in global efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
Speaking at the same occasion, Guo said the donation was a testament to the cordial relations between China and Zimbabwe. Guo said China was the first country to make a commitment to make the vaccine a global public good. “We realize we are in the global community. China will always contribute to the accessibility and affordability of Chinese vaccines in developing countries,” he said.
“Since early last year we have stood together in this fight, giving each other confidence, courage and support,” Guo said.
The Zimbabwean government has announced that it will start vaccination of frontline workers this week, as it aims to inoculate 60 percent of the country’s population.
The vaccination will be done in three phases, starting with frontline workers at high risk of COVID-19, followed by those with chronic illnesses, the elderly, and the prison population.
Zimbabwe has also purchased 600,000 Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine doses from China, which are expected to arrive in the country in March.