Video: First Covid-19 vaccine production line launched in UAE

Abu Dhabi - 'UAE and China today inaugurate a new chapter in their historic and distinguished relations'

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, have launched the 'Life Sciences and Vaccine Manufacturing in the UAE' - a joint project by the UAE’s Group 42 and China’s CNBG (Sinopharm), to initiate the first Covid-19 vaccine production line in the UAE.

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The launch ceremony of the new project was held on Sunday.

"The UAE and China today inaugurated a new chapter in their historic and distinguished relations, under the title "Strategic Partnership for Humanity," said Sheikh Abdullah in statements marking the launch.

"Today we celebrate the significant milestones achieved by our strategic partnership across all levels. We are continuing the efforts that we initiated at the onset of the Covid-19 crisis. A partnership that sets an example to be emulated for collaboration between friendly nations in times of crises," the UAE’s top diplomat added, emphasising that the dividends of this significant project will be reaped, not only by the UAE and China, but by the entire world.

"The joint project is an added value to the international efforts being made in the face of the COVID-19 crisis which has been taking a toll on everyday lives across the world.

"The UAE, under the directives of our wise leadership, believes in the importance of collective action and concerted efforts in fighting such crises. We believe we should work collectively and forge ahead with our efforts to stem the fallout of the crisis and to work for ensuring the safety and stability of all peoples on earth," Sheikh Abdullah noted.

The launch ceremony started with a short video on the UAE-China cooperation during the Covid-19 crisis.

Addressing the ceremony Liu Jingzhen, Chairman of Sinopharm, said, "Today we are making large strides in the global battle against COVID-19. And this pioneering project is the fruit of close cooperation and strategic partnership between the UAE and China and their leading efforts in fighting this crisis."

"By taking this step, the UAE has paved the way for the registration and commercial production of Sinopharm’s vaccine in an embodiment of the significant efforts made by the two friendly nations to recover from the crisis," Jingzhen continued.

"We are very proud of this partnership with G42. This project will play a significant role in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic in the UAE, the Arab region and the entire world, " he added.