Xi vows more vaccine collaboration

World needs joint efforts to beat pandemic, boost economic recovery, says president

China will help Indonesia grow into a regional hub for vaccine production and continue cooperation on pandemic control and economic recovery with Saudi Arabia and Russia, among other nations.

In a phone conversation with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo on April 20, President Xi Jinping called for joint efforts to counter the global vaccine divide.

Saying that both China and Indonesia attach importance to the safety of people’s lives and health and oppose vaccine nationalism, Xi added that the two countries’ vaccine cooperation is taking the lead globally.

China has exported five shipments totaling 3 million vaccine doses and 34 million doses of bulk vaccine to Indonesia, Xiao Qian, the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia, said in a signed article published on March 25.

While China has included foreign citizens inside the country, including those from Indonesia, in its inoculation plan, Xi said he hopes Indonesia will also provide active support for Chinese citizens in the Southeast Asian country.

He called on the two countries to develop new engines for growth, including new energy and maritime cooperation, and strengthen digital economy cooperation.

Xi also called for efforts from the two nations to push for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to become effective and be implemented, and to facilitate regional trade liberalization and economic integration.

China welcomes more high-quality exports from Indonesia, Xi added.

Faced with changes unseen in a century as well as the pandemic, Xi said China stands ready to work with Indonesia to uphold multilateralism, safeguard fairness and justice, promote global climate governance and defend the common interests of developing countries.

Indonesian leader Widodo said China’s great achievements in all areas, especially in poverty alleviation and economic development, have contributed to the development of regional countries such as Indonesia.

Also on April 20, Xi talked with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by phone.

Xi said that China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia and other members of the international community to build an equitable climate governance regime that is cooperative and beneficial to all.

He called for concerted efforts to push for comprehensive and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Xi said that climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic are major challenges faced by mankind and should be jointly addressed by all countries within the framework of multilateralism.

The president said that China looks at its relationship with Saudi Arabia from a strategic and long-term perspective, and respects its sovereignty and development path.

China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to promote high-level cooperation in such areas as energy and high technology, deepen coordination in international and regional affairs and bring their comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level, Xi said.

Mohammed bin Salman expressed Saudi Arabia’s firm support for China’s justified position on issues concerning its core interests and appreciation for the goals that China has set for implementing its nationally determined contributions to the promised reduction in greenhouse gases.

On April 20, President Xi also said that China and Russia should work together to play a pivotal role in safeguarding international fairness and justice, upholding global peace and stability and promoting common development and prosperity.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter delivered to the ninth meeting of the dialogue mechanism between the ruling parties of China and Russia, which was held via video link.

Xi said the world has entered a period of turbulence and transformation due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as profound changes to the international landscape not seen in a century.

China and Russia are important players with global influence in the world, and they should intensify comprehensive strategic coordination in the new era, he said.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation between China and Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a congratulatory letter to the meeting, saying the two parties’ dialogue has been an important part of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

Despite the pandemic, the two parties have maintained all-around exchanges, Putin said, adding that the constructive and fruitful meeting will further consolidate friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries and two peoples.

During his 17th State of the Nation Address in Moscow on April 21, Putin vowed to quickly respond to unfriendly acts by the West, spare no effort to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and continue its weapons development.

He said “unfriendly acts” against Russia by Western countries are continuing without any reason. “Attacking Russia has become some sort of new sport in the West,” Putin said, adding that Russia would like to have good relations with every member of the international community.

He criticized Western countries that issue “illegal sanctions” to try to force their will on other nations.