On June 29, 2021, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Cui Aimin took an interview with CCTV-13 to introduce the progress of the "Spring Sprout" program, which was broadcasted on Live News of CCTV-13 on the same day. The interview is as follows:

Since State Councilor Wang Yi solemnly announced the launch of the "Spring Sprout" program at the press conference of the "two sessions" on March 7, 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been actively coordinating relevant parties and working with Chinese embassies and consulates abroad to take actions to help Chinese compatriots abroad get vaccinated, bringing the caring solicitude of the Party and the government to our overseas compatriots. According to incomplete statistics, so far, more than 1.7 million overseas Chinese in 160 countries have been inoculated with Chinese or foreign vaccines.

"Spring Sprout" program conveys love and hope. After the "health kits" and "Spring Festival kits", "Spring Sprout" program is another warm breeze from the motherland to the overseas compatriots, an important measure to completely implement the caring and love of the Party and the government to overseas Chinese and protect the life safety and health of overseas compatriots, and also a practical action to learn the history of the Party and serve the people by the diplomatic staff.

At present, Chinese vaccines have been approved for use in more than 100 countries, which enables us to help our compatriots there, including overseas students and employees of Chinese-funded enterprises, get vaccinated as required. For developed countries in Europe and America that have not yet approved Chinese vaccines but have a large number of Chinese citizens, we have actively urged their governments to include Chinese citizens in their local vaccination systems, and get them vaccinated with foreign vaccines, helping our compatriots get vaccinated as soon as possible. At the same time, to expand the coverage of the "Spring Sprout" program, we have actively promoted the establishment of local vaccination sites of Chinese vaccines in Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, to facilitate the vaccination of Chinese citizens in need there and in neighboring countries.

Now, the prevention and control situation of the COVID-19 pandemic remains complex and grim. No vaccine is 100 percent effective. Therefore, we still recommend people avoid and reduce cross-border flow as much as possible while ensuring good personal protection.

"Out of true love and original intention, the 'Spring Sprout' program comes to protect our compatriots". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will continue to push forward the "Spring Sprout" program and carry it through to the end, to send warmth and care to more compatriots and build a solid "firewall" for the health and safety of Chinese citizens overseas.