China hopes to work closely with the UAE to strengthen vaccine production and distribution, its ambassador has said.
Ni Jian said the two nations would co-operate on building a regional centre to make Sinopharm doses available to other countries.
Mr Ni, China's ambassador to the UAE, said the new Hayat-Vax facility that will be commissioned in Abu Dhabi's Kizad free zone and produce 200 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine a year, is evidence of their close relationship.
The co-operation will make the China-UAE made vaccine available to people of more countries and regions
"The Chinese side is willing to deepen vaccine co-operation with the UAE side, and help the UAE build a regional hub of vaccine production and transportation," Mr Ni told The National in an interview.
“The co-operation, in the meanwhile, will make the China-UAE made vaccine available to people of more countries and regions, contributing more to build a global community of health for all.”
Hayat-Vax (Hayat means life in Arabic) is the locally produced version of the Sinopharm vaccine, made possible after the UAE and China signed a major vaccine deal in March.
The doses are being produced at drug maker Julphar’s plant in Ras Al Khaimah that has a capacity of three million a month.
Mr Ni said both countries would work to implement the consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
This would “strengthen co-operation and co-ordination in areas such as tripartite vaccine co-operation, vaccine transportation and distribution, and clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine.”
The ambassador spoke of the partnership between the two nations from the clinical trial stage.
“In the face of the sudden outbreak of Covid-19, China and the UAE have stood firmly together and helped each other in overcoming difficulties and setting a global example of co-operation in the fight against the pandemic,” he said.
He gave his “heartfelt thanks” to the UAE for including Chinese citizens in the vaccination programme.
Strengthening relations enter a new stage
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, during a visit to the Emirates in March and an agreement was reached to establish a regional vaccination site in the country for Chinese citizens.
A vaccination centre in Dubai was launched on May 27 to administer Sinopharm vaccines to Chinese visitors.
The ambassador said it was a sign that “Chinese-UAE cooperation against Covid-19 has entered a new stage”.
More than 500 Chinese nationals on short-stay visas have been vaccinated with Sinopharm, and 2,000 more registered with the embassy and consulate will be inoculated.
While the vaccines are free, Chinese visitors need to pay Dh100 per person as a service fee when vaccinated at the Al Safa and Al Mankhool health centres in Dubai.
Mr Ni said the vaccine drive is not yet open to Chinese nationals who live and work in neighbouring countries in the Middle East and Africa region.
“In the current phase, only Chinese citizens who are now in the UAE, over 16 years old and without UAE resident ID are eligible for the vaccination programme,” he said.
“Chinese citizens in other countries are temporarily not eligible for the programme at the moment.”
What is Spring Sprout Action
Mr Ni outlined the efforts taken so Chinese visitors on short-stay visas and without UAE residency could be vaccinated in Dubai.
The programme is called Spring Sprout Action as it holds the promise that the inoculations will effectively fight the pandemic.
“There is a Chinese saying, to sow in the spring and to harvest in the autumn,” Mr Ni said.
The Chinese word chun means spring, while miao translates 'to sprout' and can also refer to a vaccine.
Chun miao or 'spring sprout' refers to a vaccination programme launched in spring that is vigorous and will defeat Covid-19.
The Chinese embassy and consulate have used official websites and WeChat accounts to ask all Chinese nationals aged above 16 years on short-stay visas in the UAE to sign up for the Sinopharm vaccination.
“I wish the UAE an early and complete victory against Covid-19 and a speedy resumption of work,” said Mr Ni.
“China is willing to work with the UAE to continue to deepen our bilateral vaccine co-operation, fully support the UAE’s national vaccination programme, and make greater contributions to building a China-UAE health community and a community with a shared future for mankind.”
The UAE was the first country to grant approval to Sinopharm after a successful large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial.
The vaccine was approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation in May.
It was the sole vaccine used in Abu Dhabi until the Pfizer-BioNTech shot was approved last month.
Chinese tourists get Covid-19 vaccine in UAE - in pictures
ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO
Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)
Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)
Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
