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Su-Lin Tan

Beijing has renewed an offer from a mainland Chinese pharmaceutical firm to supply Taiwan with coronavirus vaccines developed by German company BioNTech.
The offer from Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group chairman Wu Yifang was highlighted by state news agency Xinhua on Saturday and comes as the island grapples with a surge in infections and a shortage of vaccines.
Fosun signed a deal with BioNTech last year to supply mRNA Covid 19 vaccines to mainland China and offered in March to supply jabs to Taiwan.
However, Taiwan rejected the offer at the time, saying it would discuss with BioNTech directly about procuring doses.
Taiwan has one of the lowest numbers of Covid-19 infections in the world but has been battling a sudden increase in cases in recent weeks.
The island reported 723 new infections on Saturday – 321 new local cases, two new imported cases and 400 cases delayed by a reporting backlog last week – bringing the total number of cases on the island to 3,862.
Taiwan suggests mainland China pressured BioNTech to abandon Covid-19 vaccine deal
Meanwhile, Taiwan is making a last-ditch effort to take part in next week’s World Health Assembly, with members of the WHA expected to debate whether to invite Taiwan as an observer.
WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus put the issue on the WHA’s supplementary agenda after 13 Taiwanese diplomatic allies – including Belize, Haiti and Honduras – said Taiwan’s inclusion as an observer was essential given its strong record in containing the coronavirus pandemic.
The island’s allies have made similar proposals to the World Health Organization’s policymaking body each year since Beijing opposed Taiwan’s observer status in 2017.
“By including willing and capable global health partners, such as Taiwan, the WHO and the entire world would benefit greatly in recovering together,” the supporters said.
“Once Taiwan had stabilised its containment of the virus and ensured people had sufficient access to medical resources it began to support countries in need by donating medical equipment and anti-pandemic supplies.”


According to WHA procedures and a tentative agenda, the discussion of Taiwan’s attendance will be in the first half of the meeting on Monday alongside the adoption of the assembly’s agenda.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said countries with diplomatic ties with the island would be invited to make their case.
The ministry also said Paraguay, Taiwan’s sole Latin American ally, wrote directly to Tedros to support Taiwan’s participation, according to local media reports.
Beijing responded on Friday by saying it would not agree to Taiwan’s participation and the decision was supported by 150 countries via diplomatic channels.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also said 80 countries wrote to the WHO in support of the one-China principle and against Taiwan’s involvement.
Coronavirus: Taiwan appeals to US for vaccines amid fears for elderly
The assembly’s procedures do not specify when the decision on a discussion will be made or whether – if permission were granted – Taiwan would be able to observe much of the week-long proceedings, which are being held by video conference.
Taiwan has not attended the assembly since 2017 when Beijing – which claims sovereignty of the island and holds sway in the WHO – blocked its presence in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s refusal to accept the one-China principle.
In recent weeks, the United States, the European Union and Japan backed Taiwan’s bid to attend the assembly but to no avail.
The continued tensions between the two parties have also been the source of the talk of war in the Asia-Pacific region.
On Wednesday, a Beijing-backed think tank, the China Cross-Strait Academy said the two sides were on the “brink of war”, with the risk level of armed conflict higher than it was in the 1950s.


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Coronavirus pandemic

China renews Fosun BioNTech vaccine offer to coronavirus-hit Taiwan

Taiwan is battling a surge in coronavirus cases and a shortage of vaccines. Photo: Reuters

Taiwan’s low coronavirus vaccination rate under scrutiny as it battles spike in cases

Taiwan is facing its worst outbreak of the pandemic so far. Photo: EPA-EFE

People wait in line at a Covid-19 vaccination center set up at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on Thursday, May 13, 2021. A rising number of Covid-19 infections is prompting thousands of members of the hesitant Taiwanese public to get vaccinated. Photographer: I-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg

Will Taiwan’s allies switch allegiance to Beijing to obtain vaccines?

Healthcare workers wait to be inoculated in Honduras, where vaccines have been in short supply. Photo: AP

US urges WHO to invite Taiwan to annual meeting, a move opposed by China

On Wednesday, the US and other G7 countries expressed support in a joint statement for Taiwan’s “meaningful” participation in WHO forums. Photo: Reuters

News

China

Diplomacy


State news agency repeats earlier proposal to supply doses to the island
Taiwan makes last-ditch effort to join World Health Assembly



China renews Fosun BioNTech vaccine offer to coronavirus-hit Taiwan

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} State news agency repeats earlier proposal to supply doses to the island Taiwan makes last-ditch effort to join World Health Assembly

State news agency repeats earlier proposal to supply doses to the island

Taiwan makes last-ditch effort to join World Health Assembly