Syria receives new batch of Chinese COVID-19 vaccine

China hasn't saved any effort to provide medical help as well as vaccines to help Syria fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Syrian health minister said.

DAMASCUS -- The Syrian Health Ministry has received a new batch of Chinese COVID-19 Sinopharm vaccine, the latest in several batches of vaccines donated by China to help Syria fight the pandemic.

Syria's Health Minister Hasan al-Ghabash and Chinese Ambassador to Syria Feng Biao signed a reception note in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Sunday, during which both hailed the friendly relations between the two countries.

Ghabash expressed gratitude to China for providing Syria with several batches of COVID-19 vaccines to help the country cope with the pandemic and carry on with the vaccination campaign.

He said the Chinese vaccine has proven to be effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, adding that the latest shipment arrived at a suitable time to boost the country's vaccination drive.

"Truly, China hasn't saved any effort to provide medical help as well as vaccines to help the Syrian Health Ministry to carry out its role at these tough times," the minister said.

For his part, Feng said that the Chinese aid would help Syria overcome the tough times caused by the pandemic.

"We hope all of this could help Syria overcome this pandemic as the minister has just pointed out and I am confident that the relationship between both countries will be much more beautiful under the leadership of both presidents," the ambassador said.

China has sent several batches of COVID-19 vaccines to Syria as well as various types of medical equipment to help the country cope with the pandemic.