SONNA:-Chinese President Xi Jinping had made a solemn commitment to making COVID-19 vaccines, developed and deployed in China, global public goods and prioritizing the accessibility and affordability in developing countries, thus making China the first to promise the “public good” nature of COVID-19 vaccines. Do you have any comments on this?
Qin: In the fight against COVID-19, a virus ravaging the world and keeping resurging, we have witnessed the efforts of governments, dedication of medical workers, exploration of scientists, and perseverance of the public. With courage, resolve and compassion which lit the dark hour, people of different countries have come together and confronted the disaster head on. However, the vast majority of developing countries are still confronted with difficult situations.
On the Opening Ceremony of the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against COVID-19, Chinese President Xi Jinping had pledged that COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made global public goods that help to ensure vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries, especially African countries. The idea of making COVID vaccines global public goods, recognized and supported by the increasing number of countries, has been incorporated in the outcome documents of many important international organizations. China and Africa have offered mutual support and fought shoulder to shoulder with each other, withstood the test of this severe challenge, and thus enhanced solidarity and strengthen friendship and mutual trust. The world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century. Both China and Africa face the formidable task of combating the virus while stabilizing the economy and protecting people’s livelihoods. Given the new opportunities and challenges we face, closer cooperation between China and Africa is needed more than ever. Facing the virus, we are showing concern for and accommodating the need of developing countries, especially African countries, and staying committed to taking China-Africa friendship forward and defeating COVID-19 with solidarity and cooperation. China will stay in close touch with African colleagues, to consolidate our friendship and mutual trust, and continue to do whatever it can to support Africa’s response to COVID-19. African countries are among the first to benefit from COVID-19 vaccine. Together, we will build a China-Africa community of health for all.
SONNA: Do you have any comments on the “public goods” nature of COVID-19 vaccines and making them a people’s vaccine?
Qin：Our expectation is that the Chinese vaccine would bring more confidence and hope to the international response to COVID-19. China has never pursued any geopolitical goals in its international cooperation on the COVID-19 vaccine, never calculated any economic benefits, and never attached any political conditions. What we think about the most is to make vaccines public goods that are accessible and affordable to people in all countries, and make them truly become a people’s vaccine. In a bid to address the vaccine deficit and increase assistance to developing countries, all parties should continue to increase their support to the World Health Organization (WHO), and in particular support the WHO to lead this largest immunization campaign in human history.
SONNA: How will China’s Sinopharm vaccines help Somali’s response to COVID-19?
Qin: China and Somalia have long been enjoying friendly relations with each other. The Somali government has positively responded to the COVID-19 situation with measures including suspension of office work, limitations on school classes and exit flights, prohibition on assemblies. The Chinese side bears empathy with the Somali Government and citizens, who are undertaking the arduous task of COVID-19 prevention and control.
The Chinese side is a supporter of the peace and development of Somalia and is extending friendly hands to help the Somali side at this crucial juncture of the COVID-19 response. The 200 thousand vaccine donation, in spite of China’s huge domestic demand, is a showcase of the deep friendship between our two peoples. It is our sincere belief that under the joint efforts of government departments and communities of the society, Somalia is sure to win the victory over COVID-19.
- SONNA: Could you please update us on the latest process of China’s COVID-19 vaccine donation overseas?
Qin: China is the first country that pledged to make vaccines global public goods.
China supports Chinese companies in conducting joint vaccine R&D and production with foreign partners, supports relevant companies in exporting vaccines to countries in urgent need that have approved Chinese vaccines and authorized their emergency use, and also supports and assists foreign vaccine companies in manufacturing in China, whose vaccines will then be delivered overseas.
The whole world needs to pull together in order to defeat the pandemic. China will continue to provide in a timely manner, to the best of its capability, vaccines to relevant countries, especially the developing countries, and contribute its share to building a global community of health for all. We also hope the international community will work together to promote the equitable allocation and use of vaccines globally to make sure developing countries have access to and can afford them, thus contributing to the triumph over COVID-19.
SONNA: China has officially joined COVAX. Do you have a comment?
Qin：International community is now confronted with shortage and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine. China continues to focus on ensuring that developing countries have equal access to appropriate, safe, and effective vaccines. China has officially joined COVAX, we have solemnly pledged to make vaccines developed and deployed by China global public goods, which will be provided to developing countries as a priority.
At the request of the WHO, China has decided to provide vaccines to COVAX, mainly to meet the urgent need in developing countries. This is another important measure taken by China to promote equitable distribution of vaccines, advance international cooperation in fighting the pandemic, and apply the vision of a community of common health for mankind.
The Chinese government supports vaccine companies in joining COVAX and actively facilitates this. China will continue to work together with COVAX partners and contribute its share to the global fight against the pandemic to safeguard all human beings’ safety and health. We hope that countries, with the capacity to do so, will take actions to actively support COVAX and the work of the WHO, help developing countries access vaccines in a timely manner, and make their due contributions to mankind’s early victory over the pandemic.
SONNA: What are China’s endeavors to assure the fair and equitable availability of COVID-19 vaccines?
Qin: With the efforts of governments, businesses and scientists of various countries, the R&D and production of COVID-19 vaccines are at a record-breaking pace, but there’s still deficit in production capacity and distribution that needs to be addressed quickly. We believe the world should come together to reject vaccine nationalism, promote fair and equitable distribution of vaccines, and in particular, make them accessible and affordable for developing countries, so as not to let a country in need be left behind or let any people waiting for the vaccine be forgotten.
The containment situation faced by all countries is still very serious, and China is also facing a huge domestic demand for vaccines. But still, we will do whatever can be done to promote the equitable distribution of vaccines. Vaccines should be made global public goods accessible and affordable to people in the developing countries.
China has been acting on President Xi Jinping’s solemn commitment of turning Chinese vaccines global public goods with concrete actions. We were among the first to join the WHO-sponsored Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator initiative.
In carrying out international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines, China seeks to make the vaccines truly global public goods. We will continue cooperating with all sides in such areas as vaccines and epidemic prevention and control, and making our contributions to fostering a global community of health for all and to the final victory of the global fight against COVID-19.
SONNA : Do you have any comments on vaccine safety and effectiveness?
Qin: The Chinese government always puts vaccine’s safety and efficacy in the first place, and Chinese companies have been developing vaccines in strict accordance with laws and regulations, following scientific laws and regulatory requirements.
Up to now, multiple countries have approved the use and affirmed the safety and effectiveness of Chinese vaccines. Chinese citizens are getting vaccinated in a large scale. These are convincing evidence of the safety and effectiveness of Chinese vaccines.
There are multiple COVID-19 vaccine candidates out there on the market, and countries should be able to make their choices on the vaccines independently. Whether it is a Chinese vaccine or not, it is a good vaccine so long as it is safe and effective. We oppose immoral and irresponsible behavior including “vaccine nationalism”, “vaccine divide” and attempts to politicize the vaccine cooperation.
China is ready to continue to work with other parties to promote vaccines’ equitable distribution, contribute to the global fight against COVID-19 and protect the life and health of all the people around the world. We hope that countries, with the capacity to do so, will take actions to actively support COVAX and the work of the WHO, help developing countries access vaccines in a timely manner, and make their due contributions to mankind’s early victory over the pandemic.
SONNA: The World Health Organization has released the report of the joint WHO-China study of origins of SARS-CoV-2. What’s your comment?
Qin: At the request of the WHO，From January 14 to February 10 this year, Chinese experts and international experts from WHO and ten countries formed a joint team and conducted joint research for 28 days in Wuhan. The Chinese side had done a lot of administrative, technical and logistics work for facilitating the research of the joint team, a full demonstration of its openness, transparency, and responsible attitude.
On March 30th, the WHO officially published the Joint Report on WHO-convened Global Study of Origins of SARS-CoV-2, a highly representative and professional work elaborated by over 30 experts from the U.S., the U.K., France, Australia, Vietnam, Germany, Japan, Russia, Denmark, the Netherlands and WHO, OIE among other countries and international organizations. The report, following WHO procedures and scientific approaches, is of great authority and science value. Origin study of COVID-19 is a scientific issue and should be conducted by global scientists. It is the consensus of the overwhelming majority of the international community to oppose politicizing origin study. Science and scientists’ conclusions and opinions should be respected by all. Extensive origin studies need to be conducted worldwide.
