Posted: 12.11.2021 13:33:00

Pinevich: China remains Belarus' most important strategic partner

This statement was made by Belarus’ Healthcare Minister, Dmitry Pinevich, while signing an act of acceptance of the Chinese coronavirus vaccine. He stressed that China is confidently moving forward and remains the most important partner of Belarus. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Belarus, Xie Xiaoyong.

Photo by Aleksei Bibikov

“Dynamic development of Belarusian-Chinese political, trade and economic ties is due to common principles of our domestic and foreign policy, coincidence of views on the most topical issues on the world agenda. We enjoy an active political dialogue and active economic ties. A friendly climate has been created. I want to emphasise that the character of peoples and countries manifests itself in critical situations, and the pandemic crisis has demonstrated our special friendly relations. Our co-operation can be considered exemplary. China was the first to report the epidemic, mobilised the whole country and showed everyone how the system of assistance should work – including social distancing and elaboration of medical solutions. Let me remind you that – following an order of the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko – our country was the first to send a cargo of humanitarian aid to China. In turn, China was also the first to give us a hand in a difficult situation,” Mr. Pinevich said.

The Healthcare Minister also informed that a plane has arrived this week: another batch of the Chinese vaccine was aboard (1.5m doses, including 500,000 brought as China’s gratuitous aid).

“We highly value this. These doses will be enough to vaccinate 750,000 people. Vaccination is now in full swing in the country: we’ve eventually got through to those who doubted. We consider that all who wish will be able to get vaccinated without any problems,” the Healthcare Minister said.

Moreover, Mr. Pinevich informed that Belarus plans to localise production of the Chinese vaccine as it enjoys a high demand in the country. “As of today, 3.12m people have received the first dose of COVID vaccines in the country. Incidence rates are declining and we plan to switch our hospitals to their routine operation within a month. We are speaking of this carefully, correcting our plans daily. We are on the alert and urge people not to relax, take precautions and make a choice in favour of vaccination,” he stressed.