Your Excellency Minister Shekerinska, Minister Filipce,

Lieutenant General Gjurchinovski,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

Today, 100,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines as China's military aid arrive in North Macedonia and are handed over here. This is another important sign of solidarity between China and North Macedonia in the fight against the epidemic, following the delivery of 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines at the end of April, and further enriches our friendship between two countries and militaries!

At present, vaccine remains short in supply globally. And even when China has her own needs for domestic mass vaccination, China is still overcoming difficulties to help the global fight against the epidemic. The donation of 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines by the Chinese People's Liberation Army to North Macedonia is another concrete action to implement President Xi Jinping's declaration of making vaccines global public goods, highlighting the outcome of the China-CEEC Summit and demonstrating the spirit of mutual assistance between our two countries and militaries.

Pure gold proves its worth in a blazing fire, and a friend in need is a friend indeed. At the most difficult moment in China's fight against the epidemic, His Excellency President Stevo Pendarovski wrote a letter of sympathy to President Xi Jinping. In March this year, despite of the mutating and raging epidemic, His Excellency President Stevo Pendarovski and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met with the visiting State Councilor and Minister of Defence of China, General Wei Fenghe. And Minister Shekerinska had a friendly meeting with General Wei, enhancing practical exchanges and cooperation between our two countries and militaries.

Faced with the pandemic unseen in a century while our world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, it is more essential than ever for mankind to abandon the Cold War mentality, adhere to multilateralism, and strengthen solidarity and cooperation. China is willing to continue to actively support the people of North Macedonia in your efforts to fight the epidemic and join hands to write a new chapter in our friendly relations between our countries and militaries.

Thank you all!