China National Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd (Sinopharm) Chairman Liu Jingzhen met with President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi in Beijing on April 13. They engaged in comprehensive and detailed discussions on combating the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting medical and healthcare collaboration.

Sinopharm Chairman Liu Jingzhen meets with the delegation led by President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi in Beijing on April 13. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

President Santokhi expressed appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to Sinopharm for providing COVID-19 vaccines to Suriname during the most challenging times, demonstrating tangible actions to reaffirm the friendship between the two countries.

The president shared that over the past four years, the Surinamese government has made significant efforts to improve the local healthcare system.

He said that he hopes Sinopharm could bring high-quality medical resources and advanced management concepts and solutions to Suriname to enhance local healthcare standards and benefit neighboring Caribbean countries and regions, while contributing to the health and well-being of people worldwide.

Liu appreciated the president's high praise and trust in Sinopharm and introduced the group's overall development strategy focusing on the entire lifecycle, industry chain and ecological circle in pharmaceutical research and development, production and manufacturing.

President of the Republic of Suriname Chandrikapersad Santokhi (L) shakes hands with Sinopharm Chairman Liu Jingzhen. [Photo/sinopharm.com]

Leveraging its strength in the 12 major innovation, industry and supply chains of life, medicine and health, the group is open to discussions and exchanges with relevant departments of Suriname to explore comprehensive and in-depth cooperation, Liu noted.

Sinopharm looks to contribute to Suriname's medical and healthcare undertakings and the well-being of its people, as well as the construction of a global community of health for all, he added.

Also present at the meeting were Albert Ramdin, Suriname’s minister of foreign affairs, international business and international cooperation, David Abiamofo, the country’s minister of natural resources, Lloyd Lucien Pinas, Surinamese ambassador to China, Wang Chuanrui, member of the National Assembly of Suriname, and representatives of Sinopharm headquarters and Sinopharm International.

Participants in the event pose for a group photo. [Photo/sinopharm.com]