A donated shipment of China's COVID-19 vaccine arrived Thursday in Luanda, Angola, with the country's Health Minister Silvia Lutucuta saying it would equip the country with a "new weapon" in the fight against the virus.

The donated vaccine was developed by pharmaceutical company Sinopharm and has been internationally recognized for its high efficacy, Lutucuta noted.

China's ambassador to Angola, Gong Tao, said China, one of the first countries to provide assistance to Angola's fight against the epidemic, will continue its efforts to facilitate the country's economic and social recovery.