China News Service, Manila, December 15 (Reporter Guan Xiangdong) The Chinese government aided the Philippines to deliver the fifth batch of new crown vaccines to Manila International Airport on the evening of the 14th.

The Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, the Philippine national coordinator of the epidemic response, Galvez, and the Deputy Minister of Health Taino went to the airport to greet and attend the vaccine handover ceremony.

　　Galvez and Taino expressed their sincere thanks to China for extending a helping hand to the Philippines again.

Galvez said, please allow me to convey President Duterte’s gratitude to the Chinese government and thank China for sending such a precious Christmas gift to the Philippines.

As President Duterte said, everyone should remember that when we were most helpless, China first donated the new crown vaccine to us.

On February 28 this year, the first batch of vaccines aided by the Chinese government to the Philippines arrived smoothly. It was also the first batch of vaccines received by the Philippine government, which provided an important guarantee for the Philippines to launch a national vaccination plan in March.

On the evening of the 14th, the Chinese government assisted the Philippines to deliver the fifth batch of COVID-19 vaccine to Manila International Airport.

　　Galvez said that in the past year, the Filipino people have increasingly recognized the Chinese vaccine.

The Philippines will launch the second round of national vaccination campaigns. The arrival of this batch of China-aided vaccines coincides with the timely rain.

　　Huang Xilian said that these vaccines carry the deep friendship and best wishes of the Chinese government and people to the Philippines.

I sincerely hope that this batch of vaccines can help the Philippines speed up the vaccination process, smoothly implement the enhanced vaccination plan, and help the Philippine people spend a happy and peaceful Christmas.

Since China became the first country to provide vaccines to the Philippines in February this year, China has been the most stable and main source of vaccines for the Philippines.

As a friendly neighbor, we are proud to contribute to the Philippines' national vaccination plan.

　　Huang Xilian said that perhaps some countries are very interested in "vaccine diplomacy", but China has provided vaccines to the Philippines in the spirit of friendship and solidarity from beginning to end, and has never attached any conditions or intends to engage in "vaccine diplomacy."

Looking to the future, China will continue to work with the Philippines to fight the epidemic, provide support to the Philippines within its capacity, and help the Philippines completely overcome the epidemic at an early date.

　　Huang Xilian stated that China-Philippines economic and trade cooperation has become a key driving force for the economic development of the Philippines during the epidemic.

In the first 10 months of this year, Philippine exports to China totaled US$18 billion, an increase of 15% year-on-year, and its share in Philippine exports rose to 29%.

In the first half of this year, China's investment in the Philippines increased by 231% year-on-year.

In addition, the cooperation between the two governments is advancing steadily.

In the future, China is willing to work with the Philippines to continue to deepen practical cooperation in the economic and trade field and support the early recovery of the Philippines’ economy and people’s livelihood in the post-epidemic era.

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