Coronavirus: Xi Jinping offers Poland access to China’s vaccines and a bigger market for farm goods

In a phone call with Polish President Andrzej Duda, Xi seeks to smooth a path to better ties with central and eastern Europe

Analysts in Europe say less promotion and more transparency about Chinese vaccines ‘would go a long way towards improving China’s reputation in the EU’

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Polish President Andrzej Duda reportedly told China’s President Xi Jinping that Poland was willing to cooperate with China in the pandemic fight. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:14pm, 2 Mar 2021Updated: 4:44pm, 2 Mar 2021

China is willing to offer coronavirus vaccines to Poland and buy more of its agricultural products, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his Polish counterpart as Beijing tries to counter growing scepticism in central and eastern Europe about China.

Xi told Polish President Andrzej Duda over the phone on Monday that the two countries should strengthen strategic communication “to deepen pragmatic cooperation to jointly deal with every risk and challenge”.

Xi also referred to Poland as “a major country in central and eastern Europe and an important member of the European Union, as well as a comprehensive strategic partner of China in Europe”,

According to a Chinese foreign ministry statement, Xi also promised to share China’s experience in fighting the pandemic and provide vaccines “according to the needs of Poland and within the limits of China’s capabilities”.

In response, Duda said Poland was willing to work with China in the pandemic fight and keep contributing “to cooperation between central and eastern European countries and China”, the Chinese foreign ministry said.