This undated photo shows a Chinese medical staff checking a vial of the COVID-19 vaccine. (PHOTO/XINHUA)
China will provide 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the global vaccine sharing scheme COVAX to meet the urgent need of developing countries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday.
"This is another important measure taken by China to promote the equitable distribution of vaccines, advance international cooperation in fighting the pandemic, and uphold the concept of a global community of health for all," Wang said at a daily press briefing.
We hope that capable countries in the international community can play an active role and take concrete actions to support COVAX as well as the WHO's work.
Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Noting that the World Health Organization has begun reviewing the authorization for emergency use of Chinese vaccines, Wang pledged the continued cooperation of Chinese enterprises and expressed the hope that the WHO would complete this work as soon as possible.
"We hope that capable countries in the international community can play an active role and take concrete actions to support COVAX as well as the WHO's work, so as to help developing countries receive vaccines in time and contribute to the global defeat of the pandemic at an early date," he said.
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China has officially joined COVAX and maintained close communication with the WHO, Wang said, vowing to make joint efforts to turn COVID-19 vaccines into global public goods and promote the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries.
China signed an agreement with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, officially joining COVAX on Oct 8, 2020.