Chen Shih-chung (right), minister of health and welfare and head of the Central Epidemic Command Center, is joined by AIT Director Brent Christensen in receiving the donation of 2.5 million Moderna vaccine doses from the U.S. June 20 at TTIA. (MOFA)
 

The U.S. government’s donation of 2.5 million Moderna vaccine doses is sincerely appreciated by the government and the people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs June 20.

Touching down earlier the same day at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the shipment demonstrates the strength of friendship and bilateral relations between the two sides, the MOFA said. As long-term and unwavering partners sharing the values of freedom and respect for human rights, Taiwan and the U.S. are also important allies in the democratic world, the ministry added.

At the onset of the pandemic, the MOFA said, the government shared more than 10 million surgical masks and personal protective equipment with the U.S. As Taiwan continues its COVID-19 fightback, the timely vaccine doses donation shows that the two sides are true friends able to face and overcome adversity, the ministry added.

Taiwan is among global recipients of the first-stage vaccine donations pledged June 3 by the U.S. government, the MOFA said, adding that the initial number of 750,000 doses was announced three days later by Sens. Tammy Duckworth, Dan Sullivan and Chris Coons during a special meeting with President Tsai Ing-wen at Taipei Songshan Airport.

The decision by the White House to more than triple the amount illustrates the strong support for Taiwan. Such a warm gesture of friendship will be forever remembered by the public, according to the ministry.

In a tweet on the MOFA’s official Twitter account, Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu responded to the departure of the shipment from Memphis International Airport with the message “What a sight! What a gesture! I thank @POTUS & @StateDept for the tremendous donation & greatly appreciated helping hand. The #Taiwan-#US relationship is rock solid, & we’ll keep cooperating closely in combating #COVID19. Forces for good will prevail!”

After the plane touched down at TTIA, Wu tweeted, “I’m moved by the arrival of the vaccine doses. When #Taiwan faces tough times, the #US always helps out. The donation will save many lives, & is another example of our solid friendship & shared commitment. Taiwan’s people will keep this moment in their hearts forever.”

Based on the joint statement on a partnership against coronavirus signed by Wu and American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen in March 2020, Taiwan will continue working with the U.S. to ensure the health and well-being of people of the two sides, the MOFA said. (SFC-E)