Vaccine donations boost China-Phl ties
‘Despite the increasing domestic need for vaccines, China has decided to donate vaccines to the Philippines; more Chinese vaccines procured by the Philippine government will surely come soon as expected,’ President Duterte said.
As Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xillian puts it: “It is a fine tradition between China and the Philippines to help each other in trying times.”
The turnover of 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines donated by
China has rendered vaccine assistance to 53 developing countries and is exporting vaccine to 27 countries.
the Chinese government to the Philippines, plus 100,000 doses from the Chinese military to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is proof of a closer China-Philippines partnership in fighting Covid-19.
“Last year, President Xi in his phone conversation with President Duterte reiterated that as a friendly neighbor, China certainly considers the Philippines’ need of Covid-19 vaccines as a priority,” the ambassador said. “Despite the increasing domestic need of vaccines, China has decided to donate vaccines to the Philippines and more Chinese vaccines procured by the Philippine government will surely come soon as expected.”
According to Xilian, China was among the first to contain the virus and restore economic growth, and wishes recovery for the Philippines.
Xilian said that Sinovac vaccines have already been administered in many countries
and its safety and efficacy have been well tested.
President Duterte, meanwhile, said that Covid-19 vaccines should be treated as a global public good and made available to everyone, rich and poor.
It is a fine tradition between China and the Philippines to help each other in trying times.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier pledged to make any vaccine China develops a
global public good.
“In the face of the vaccine deficit and vaccine nationalism, China, as always, is honoring its commitment in providing assistance and support to other developing countries, and works tirelessly to make vaccines a global public good accessible and affordable to people around the world,” Xilian said.
China has rendered vaccine assistance to 53 developing countries and is exporting vaccine to 27 countries.