Chinese vaccines are unloaded from a plane at the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2021. A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday.Photo:Xinhua

A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday.

The batch was received at the Khartoum International Airport by Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Ma Xinmin, Chairman of Sudan's Higher Committee for Health Emergencies Siddiq Tawer, and Sudan's Health Minister Omer Al-Najeeb.

"Today the Chinese government provides Chinese vaccines to help Sudan fight COVID-19. This action demonstrates deep friendship and close ties between our two peoples and two countries," Ma told reporters at the airport.

For his part, Al-Najeeb commended China's supportive stances to Sudan, saying that China has helped Sudan "not only in the pandemic, but also in building the health services in Khartoum and other Sudanese cities."

Tawer also stressed the importance of the arrival of the Sinopharm vaccines. "This is an extension of an old and fraternal cooperation between us and the People's Republic of China," Tawer said.

China has been helping Sudan in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic since its outbreak in the African country last year. China donated batches of medical supplies to Sudan last year, and a Chinese team of medical experts was sent to the country in last June on a two-week mission to support its fight against the pandemic.

Chinese vaccines are unloaded from a plane at the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2021. A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday. Photo:Xinhua

 

Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Ma Xinmin (4th L, front) and Sudanese officials pose for a group photo while receiving the Chinese vaccines at the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2021. A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday.Photo:Xinhua

 

Medical supplies are unloaded from a plane at the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2021. A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday. Photo:Xinhua

 

Chinese Ambassador to Sudan Ma Xinmin (L, front) and Sudan's Health Minister Omer Al-Najeeb (R, front) pose for a photo during a handover ceremony for Chinese vaccines in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2021. A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday.Photo:Xinhua

 

Chinese vaccines are unloaded from a plane at the Khartoum International Airport in Khartoum, Sudan, March 26, 2021. A batch of China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines, donated by the Chinese government to Sudan, arrived here on Friday.Photo:Xinhua