China steps up vaccine diplomacy with international forum to promote ‘fair’ distribution

Those attending the online event will include vaccine manufacturers, the UN and representatives from other countries

Beijing insists it is not using the battle against Covid-19 as a ‘tool for political self interest’ or excuse to attack other countries

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A shipment of vaccines from China arrives in Sri Lanka. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00pm, 29 Jul 2021Updated: 9:44pm, 29 Jul 2021

China is poised to intensify its Covid-19 vaccine diplomacy drive next week by hosting an international forum to promote “fair and reasonable” distribution worldwide.

The first virtual meeting on August 5, hosted by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will involve 30 parties, including international organisations, such as the United Nations, vaccine developers and foreign ministers from other countries, the Chinese foreign ministry said, without naming the countries.

“As part of the conference, Chinese authorities will hold an international vaccine cooperation dialogue today with vaccine firms attending the meeting,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a press conference.

He added that the theme of the forum would be to “strengthen international vaccine cooperation and promote the fair and reasonable global distribution of vaccines”.

When asked if China was engaging in vaccine diplomacy, Zhao said Covid-19 vaccines are not “a tool for political self-interest or an excuse to attack and discredit other countries”.

He said China has provided more than 700 million doses of its vaccines overseas, especially to developing countries.