Singapore on Tuesday received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses developed by Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech, according to the Chinese Embassy in Singapore.

"On February 23, the first batch of Chinese Sinovac vaccine purchased by the Singaporean government arrived in Singapore," said the update.

The arrival of the Chinese vaccine is believed to contribute to Singapore's efforts to defeat the virus and restore normal order of life and economic development, said the Chinese embassy.

China will continue to work with Singapore to enhance cooperation on vaccine and epidemic control, build a global community of health for all, and win the final victory in the fight against the epidemic, said the embassy.

Singapore has made advance purchase agreements for the Sinovac vaccine in addition to other two vaccines. The city-state government said earlier they were still assessing the Sinovac vaccine before it is rolled out for public.

Sinovac has started submitting initial data but Singapore's Health Sciences Authority was awaiting the necessary information to carry out a thorough assessment, the ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday.

(With input from agencies)