Foreign news
China approves emergency usage of COVID-19 vaccines, official says
A Chinese health official Saturday confirmed the country authorized emergency usage of COVID-19 vaccines developed by some select domestic companies on July 22.
“We’ve drawn up a series of plan packages, including medical consent forms, side-effects monitoring plans, rescuing plans, compensation plans, to make sure the emergency use is well regulated and monitored,” Zheng Zhongwei, head of China’s coronavirus vaccine development task force told CCTV.
An emergency use authorization, which is based on Chinese vaccine management law, allows unapproved vaccine candidates to be used among people who are at high risk of getting infected on a limited period.
By first inoculating the special groups, like frontline medical workers and civil servants, the move is to ensure that a city can keep normal functions when a health crisis strikes, the law stated.
Similar authorizations have been legalized in many countries. For example, U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows unapproved medical products to be used in an emergency to diagnose, treat or prevent life-threatening disease or conditions.
The national agency has used several emergency use authorizations since the coronavirus outbreak as a way to get many diagnostic tests more quickly to the market than the normal procedures.
“We are planning to scale up the inoculating group to better prepare for a possible next wave in autumn and winter,” Zheng added.
A new coronavirus vaccine cultivated within insect cells by West China Hospital of Sichuan University in Chengdu has been approved for human trial, according to local government on Saturday.
Using insect cells to grow proteins for the coronavirus vaccine – a first in China – could speed up large-scale production, the Chengdu city government said in a notice on its official WeChat account.
Animal tests have shown promising results in preventing coronavirus infection, the notice said, and no obvious side effects have found.
According to China’s National Medical Products Administration, at least eight potential coronavirus vaccines have entered different stages of clinical trials.
In an interview with CCTV, Yang Xiaoming, chief scientist of China’s vaccine development and CEO of China National Biotec Group (CNBG) said they’ve signed agreements with many countries on inactivated vaccine clinical trials over the past few months.
“Over 20,000 people has been vaccinated,” Yang added, “Vaccine safety is well guaranteed; the effectiveness is being closely monitored.”
The company announced on late Friday Argentina joined Peru, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in approving Phase 3 clinical trials for their inactivated coronavirus vaccine.
The experimental vaccine by CNBG received approval from the UAE in June for a Phase 3 trial and has since recruited 15,000 volunteers, according to the company.
Foreign news
Pakistan High Commission in Abuja Marks First Marqa-e-Haq Commemoration, Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Sovereignty
Cyril Ajayi
The High Commission of Pakistan in Abuja on Friday held a commemorative event to mark Pakistan and its Armed Forces’ first observance of Marqa-e-Haq, paying tribute to the courage, resilience and sacrifices of the Pakistani nation and military during last year’s conflict in South East Asia.
Speaking at the ceremony held weekend, in Abuja, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Muhammad Imran Sarwar, described the occasion as a profound moment of remembrance and national pride.
He said Marqa-e-Haq remains a defining symbol of Pakistan’s unity, steadfastness and unwavering commitment to protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Addressing members of the Pakistani diaspora and community representatives in attendance, Mr. Sarwar praised the professionalism, sacrifices and operational excellence demonstrated by Pakistan’s armed forces during the conflict.
He also commended the patriotism and resilience shown by the Pakistani people during a critical chapter in the nation’s history.
According to him, Pakistan’s capabilities across both conventional and emerging domains are anchored on the principles of responsible deterrence, strategic balance and the preservation of peace.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, peaceful coexistence and constructive international engagement, stressing that the country remains fully prepared to defend its national interests against aggression, destabilisation or external threats.
Mr. Sarwar further noted that Marqa-e-Haq is not only a solemn remembrance of sacrifice and national honour, but also a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s principled pursuit of peace through strength, resilience and collective national purpose.
The event drew members of the Pakistani community in Nigeria, diplomats and invited guests, reflecting the importance of the occasion and the strong ties between Pakistan and its diaspora abroad.
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