Chinese President Xi Jinping offers more vaccine support to Caribbean countries
- Xi’s pledges to Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana are likely to increase concern in the US about Beijing’s ‘vaccine diplomacy’
- Guyana recently received 20,000 doses after agreeing to China’s request to ‘correct’ its decision to allow Taiwan to open a trade office
China has promised Caribbean nations more help and vaccines to fight Covid-19 as it seeks to expand its influence in the region.
President Xi Jinping spoke to his Guyanese counterpart Irfaan Ali on Tuesday to offer support – a month after the South American country abruptly terminated an agreement allowing Taiwan to open a trade office following a warning by China to “correct their mistake”.
Guyana was offered 20,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines from China following the U-turn.
“China stands ready to strengthen cooperation with Guyana on Covid-19 vaccines and continue to provide assistance and support within its capacity for Guyana‘s economic and social development”, Xi said during the call, according to state media reports.
Xi also said both countries should respect each other’s core interests and hoped Guyana would help boost cooperation between Beijing and the wider Caribbean region.
